Olympia City Council Regular Business Meeting – April 15, 2026
Olympia City Council Regular Business Meeting – April 15, 2026
Note: The transcript states the meeting date as April 14, 2026, but the supplied metadata indicates April 15, 2026. This summary uses the date provided in the instructions.
The Olympia City Council held a regular business meeting on April 15, 2026, proclamations, public comment on housing and safety, adoption of the consent calendar, discussion of the Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) evaluation, approval of 2026 Neighborhood Matching Grant allocations, and council reports.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (voice vote) the consent calendar, which included routine items such as the adoption of ordinances related to the residential energy performance rating and disclosure ordinance and the reappointment of Mark Shatmeyer as hearing examiner and Phil Aldbrex as pro tem hearing examiner.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Cece Coates (Olympia resident, homeless, disabled) described being harassed through homelessness services and having to move her van daily; she called current practices a "eugenics program" and urged the city to meet the moment for seniors and disabled people.
- Eric Cedar (South Capitol Neighborhood Association board) thanked the council for supporting the Neighborhood Matching Grants program, which brings neighborhoods together.
- Sam Kellandy (trans community member) called for action to support trans and houseless communities, emphasizing that houseless people are human and deserve respect and support.
- Ash Valentine expressed disgust that the city spends over $32 million on police while people sleep on the street, criticized harassment of unhoused people by police, and urged shifting resources to direct support.
- Gary Myers (engineer with a building permit) advocated for proportionality in permit conditions, citing the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in Sheetz, and asked that permit staff be given flexibility to apply these tests at the point of service.
- Stephanie Scott (Lisi resident, mother of a trans young person) spoke in support of Cece Coates, arguing that declaring sanctuary status without action is dangerous and that fair housing must protect people living in vehicles or tents; she urged the council to revisit trans community asks.
- Tom Crawford (Thurston Climate Action Team board member) thanked the council for adopting the home energy ordinance, noting it supports climate goals, home buyers, and energy-efficiency jobs.
- David Webb (City of Olympia resident) criticized the council for claiming progressiveness while unhoused people are not safe, called the fair housing proclamation tone-deaf, and urged sufficient resources for the unhoused.
- Jacob DeMonti Finn (Southwest Olympia Neighborhood Association) echoed earlier comments, angered that city resources are used against Cece Coates based on a homophobe's calls, and urged the city to support her.
- Council members responded: Mayor Payne apologized and offered to connect Cece Coates with the police chief; Mayor Pro Tem Huyn emphasized the city's efforts to house hundreds and asked for trust.
Discussion Items
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Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Evaluation (Item 6A):
- Jenica Machado (Economic Development Director) introduced the evaluation, noting the PBIA has not been updated since 2005, collects ~$114,000/year, and faces sustainability and equity concerns.
- Brian Scott (Uncommon Bridges) presented findings: the PBIA structure does not align with national best practices; assessments are low, administrative costs high, and ratepayer priorities are not well served. He recommended moving to a property-based district (long-term goal) but immediate steps to substantially increase assessments (to ~$500,000/year comparable to similar districts) and reconfigure administration by partnering with the Olympia Downtown Alliance. The PBIA advisory board and CLIPS committee both endorsed proceeding to phase two (detailed stakeholder engagement and proposal development).
- Council members expressed support for phase two; questioning touched on affordability, potential for clean & safe services, and the unsuccessful earlier district attempt. Desiree Freeland (Olympia Downtown Alliance) noted the earlier property-based district failed by single-digit percentages but sees potential.
- Vote: Motion to approve the evaluation recommendations and proceed with phase two passed unanimously (voice vote).
-
2026 Neighborhood Matching Grant Allocations (Item 6B):
- Brittany Gillia (Associate Planner) presented program updates: eligibility expanded to informal groups (with $600 max grants), simplified application, new scoring criteria emphasizing equity, and two timeline options (Track A standard, Track B full year). Eleven applications recommended for funding totaling ~$33,000, leveraging ~$180,000 in community value.
- Council praised the changes and neighborhood participation.
- Vote: Motion to approve the allocations passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Fair Housing Month Proclamation read and adopted; community speakers highlighted ongoing discrimination and the need for action.
- Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation read and adopted; speakers emphasized connection between childhood trauma and homelessness.
- Consent Calendar adopted unanimously.
- PBIA Phase 2 authorized: staff to conduct further stakeholder engagement and develop detailed proposal; estimated cost $50,000 from economic development reserve.
- Neighborhood Matching Grants awarded: 11 projects funded, including two informal groups, with total $33,000 allocated.
- Council Reports: Mayor Payne updated on opioid abatement council (1.2 million allocation, RFP upcoming); Councilmember Madron reported on LOTT board retreat (wet science center expansion discussion); Councilmember Vanderpool reported on regional housing council and land use meetings (manufactured home communities, Plum Street corridor, community opportunity to purchase); Councilmember Green had no report; Councilmember Barrett discussed library layoffs and called for monthly city financial reporting; Assistant City Manager Sullivan noted that finance director is developing such reports for the finance committee.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 regular business meeting of the Olympia City Council. For the record, we have a quorum with Councilmember Gilman excuse tonight. So I do just want to mention that City Manager Bernie is in Washington, D.C., uh advocating for the Deschutes Estuary, and is participating in Puget Sound Day on the Hill. So we have Debbie Sullivan, who is our uh assistant uh city manager as acting city manager for tonight. Um I also want to mention that council met uh for a joint meeting with the Port of Olympia just uh yesterday um over a dinner meeting where we discussed uh several of our joint priorities, uh specifically around uh sea level rise, uh economic vitality and development uh in our downtown and so on. And we appreciated that meeting. Um we've uh now met with them uh for a second time. This time we both have new members, both on the port and on the council. So we're looking forward to developing and building stronger relationships and and working together on a shared vision for our community. So I thank the Port of Olympia uh for having us. And so with that, uh I'd love to entertain a motion to approve tonight's agenda. So moved. Second. All those in favor of the agenda is published, signify by saying I. Aye. My mic on. Now it is. All right, so our first item tonight is item two A on our agenda, and it is a special recognition proclamation recognizing Fair Housing Month, and we have a shared reading beginning with Councilmember Madron. Whereas the Fair Housing Act, enacted in April 11th, 1968, enshrined into federal law the goal of eliminating racial segregation and ending housing discrimination in the United States, and whereas the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability, and commits recipients of federal funding to affirmatively further fair housing in their communities and whereas Olympia is a committed to the mission and intent of Congress to provide fair and equal housing opportunities for all, and whereas our social fabric, economic, health, and environment are strengthened in diverse, inclusive communities and whereas more than 50 years after the passage of the Fair Housing Act, discrimination persists and many communities remain segregated. And whereas acts of housing discrimination and barriers to equal housing opportunity are unacceptable and whereas the City of Olympia has completed work to identify housing disparities and barriers through formation of regional goals to affirmatively further fair housing in Thurston County, and whereas the City of Olympia supports efforts to assist individuals harmed by discriminatory practices in Washington State, such as the Covenant Homeownership Program and whereas the City of Olympia has joined the Black Home Initiative to strive to right the wrongs of past discriminatory practices and and and commits to doing all it can to assure black homeowners get the opportunity to purchase homes. And whereas the City of Olympia will co-host a Thurston County Home Buying Expo with Thurston County Realtors Association on April 18th, 2026 to expand access to homeownership for Thurston County residents and now therefore be it resolved, the Olympia City Council does hereby proclaim April 2026 as fair housing month in the City of Olympia as an inclusive community committed to fair housing and to promoting equal housing opportunities for all residents and prospective residents of Olympia, signed in the City of Olympia, Washington this 14th day of April 2026, Olympia City Council Dante Payne, Mayor. Okay, and now I'd like to invite up Krista Lenson, who is our senior housing program specialist. Hi, Krista. Um good evening, Council. Um for the record, Krista Lenson from the City of Olympia's housing team. Um I would just like to invite up a couple of community members to provide some brief comments tonight. Um first I have Steve Chung, who's the president-elect of the Thurston County Realtors Association, um, and followed by that uh Cassandra Wyckoff, who will be here from the uh Fair Housing Center of Washington. Good evening, Mayor and Council members. My name is Steve Chung, and I serve as president-elect of the Thurston County Realtors, representing more than 750 real estate professionals who serve thousands of buyers and sellers across the region each year. On behalf of our members, I want to sincerely thank the City of Olympia for the Fair Housing Month Proclamation and for your continued partnership in supporting equitable access to housing in our community. Fair housing is not just a policy, it's a promise, a promise that where you live should never be determined by who you are. And as realtors, we believe it's important to acknowledge that our profession is not always lived up to that promise. The history of housing in this country, including within the real estate industry, includes practices that excluded segregated and limited access to home ownership for many. We cannot change history, but we can and must learn from it. Today that commitment shows up in the work that we do every day. Realtors are bound by a strict code of ethics that goes beyond the law, requiring us to provide equal professional services to all clients. We invest in ongoing fair housing education, implicit bias training, and programs designed to expand access to home ownership. Here in Thurston County, that work is strengthened through partnerships like the one that we have with the City of Olympia. On April 18th, we're proud to once again host the Thurston County Home Buying Expo at the Olympia Center in collaboration with our local jurisdictions and community partners. This event is designed to connect aspiring homeowners with trusted resources, education, and support, helping break down barriers and opening doors of home ownership. Fair housing is about more than compliance. It's about the opportunity. It's about building stronger communities, creating pathways to stability, and ensuring that the dream of homeownership is accessible to everyone. We are grateful to stand alongside with the City of Olympia and work and remain committed to being part of the solution today and every day. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Mayor and members of the City Council for the proclamation. My name is Cassandra Wykoff, and I'm the test coordinator at the Fair Housing Center of Washington. Our agency serves 23 counties across Western and Central Washington, including the City of Olympia and Thurston County. Our goal is to create inclusive communities, advocate for potential victims of housing discrimination, provide training for housing stakeholders, and conduct testing. We focus on identifying unlawful practices within housing industries to bring forward complaints and possible litigation to achieve compliance with the Fair Housing Act and the Washington Law Against Discrimination to ensure greater housing opportunities for all.
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