OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Olympia City Council Study Session: Earth Month, Olympia Strong, Waste Facility - April 22, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Wednesday, April 22, 2026
BodyOlympia, Washington
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateWednesday, April 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:54:58

Transcript — Verbatim
0:40

Good evening and welcome to the Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 study session of the Olympia City Council.

0:47

For the record, we have a quorum with Councilmember Madron Excused and Councilmember Barrett joining us remotely tonight.

0:55

Hi, Councilmember Barron, can you hear us?

0:57

I can, thank you.

0:59

Great.

1:00

Okay.

1:01

Um, so our first item tonight on our agenda is item 2A, which is a special recognition proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Earth month, and we have a shared reading of the proclamation beginning with Councilmember Green.

1:17

Where Earth Day was created 56 years ago, recognizing the importance for everyone to participate in preserving our natural resources.

1:26

And on that first Earth Day, 20 million Americans rallied for a healthy, sustainable environment, and whereas the global community now faces extraordinary challenges, such as global health issues, food and water shortages, and economic struggles, and whereas all life forms on Earth have the right to a healthy, sustainable environment, and whereas in Washington State, April is recognized as Earth Month, emphasizing the urgency of enlisting all people to protect and sustain life on the planet and whereas each year the City of Olympia also declares April as Earth month and urges others to do the same.

2:06

And whereas the procession of the species was created in 1995 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Earth Day and to support congressional renewal of the Endangered Species Act, inspiring thousands.

2:20

Go ahead.

2:27

All right, inspiring thousands young and old to deepen their understanding, appreciation, and protection of the natural world.

2:34

And whereas community members, schools, environmental organizations, and businesses have raised over a hundred Earth flags to unite those during the entire month, working in the interest of the planet and to build intergenerational action through local activism and global environmental consciousness.

2:52

And now, therefore, be it resolved that the Olympia City Council does hereby proclaim April 2026 as Earth Month, signed in the City of Olympia, Washington this 21st day of April 2026, Olympia City Council, Dante Payne, Mayor.

3:14

And now I'd like to invite up Dave Setterberg from Earthbound Productions, who uh has a few remarks and to accept the proclamation tonight.

3:23

Hi Dave, good to see you.

3:24

Uh I'm not currently with Earthbound Productions right now.

3:27

Oh, okay.

3:27

But we should finish.

3:28

I'm just here representing the Earth.

3:33

Mr.

3:34

Mayor, members of the council and the other handsome people in the room today.

3:39

Um I would like to thank you for your proclamation or recognition of Earth Month 2026.

3:44

Oh, do I have a clicker?

3:46

Are you clicking it for me?

3:48

You got it for me, thanks.

3:49

Uh your recognition of Earth Month coincides with the inspirational uh Artemis II mission around the moon, the appreciation of our exquisite planet from the moon's vantage point, and the progress in human equity incarnate in the astronauts engaged in that mission.

4:06

The first flag was created by John McConnell in 1969 for the first Earth Day using a photo taken during the Apollo 10 mission on May 18th, 1969.

4:17

The photo was breathtaking, but not a full depiction of our planet.

4:21

It featured mostly clouds and ocean.

4:24

The Earth flag was updated in 1973 with the iconic blue marble shot taken from Apollo 17 craft on December 7th, 1972.

4:34

This was the full the first fully illuminated view of the planet against the blackness of space.

4:39

Taken from roughly 28,000 miles away, it highlights Africa, Antarctica, and the southern hemisphere's clouds.

4:47

It is a symbol of environmentalism and life's fragility and has been the image used on the Earth flag for over 50 years.

4:54

Twelve humans, all Americans, all white male astronauts have walked on the moon's surface on six missions between July 1969 and 1972.

5:05

For the first time in 54 years, providing a rare and much needed reason for pride in our country and all life, humans and Artemis II circumnavigated the moon again.

5:17

The Artemis mission reflected the giant steps we've taken in the U.S.

5:20

regarding equity.

5:22

Artemis II included for the first time on a lunar mission, an African American pilot, Victor Glover, and the first women, first woman, mission specialist, Christina Koch.

5:33

In these dark and often appalling times, we welcome occasions like this to celebrate the best in our species.

5:40

Collaboration is humanity's greatest superpower.

5:43

May we all work together during Earth Month and beyond to be good stewards of our extremely rare and beautiful planet Earth.

5:52

Thank you.

5:58

Thank you very much, Dave.

5:59

Any comments from Council?

6:03

All right.

6:04

Well, I'm here to just express our gratitude to you, Dave.

6:08

Um, so thank you for being here once again, and thank you for being such a vocal proponent of Earth Month.

6:13

It is more than just one day, and frankly, it's more than a month, right?

6:17

We should care all year round.

6:19

Um, so we would love to present you with the proclamation and take a photo.

6:23

Um, I do just want to mention, though, that we are trying something new.

6:27

This is actually the first time we've ever done a proclamation this way at a study session.

6:31

So congratulations, you're the first.

6:36

We're we're doing a new process because we have uh such a um uh such excitement for these types of recognitions throughout the community, and there are so many, and our meetings are running a bit longer, and so we're gonna try something new and incorporate them into the study session as well.

6:52

So, and I'll quit talking, so the study session isn't as long either.

6:59

Sure.

7:00

Oh, Mayor Pratem just asked me if you wish to talk about the app.

7:06

Uh that's true.

7:09

You had me.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Waste Management██████████████████████22%
Workforce Development███████████████15%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Capital Facilities Planning███████████11%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Child Care█████5%
Wastewater Management█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Olympia City Council Study Session: Earth Month, Olympia Strong, Waste Facility - April 22, 2026

Note: The meeting date is listed as April 22, 2026 per the provided metadata; however, the meeting minutes and transcript are dated Tuesday, April 21, 2026. This summary reflects the content of the April 21 transcript, using the requested date.

This study session of the Olympia City Council included a special recognition proclamation, a briefing on the Olympia Strong economic development work plan, a briefing on the Waste ReSources Carpenter Road facility, and an executive session. Six councilmembers were present (Mayor Dontae Payne, Mayor Pro Tem Yến Huỳnh, Councilmembers Vanderpool, Gilman, Green, and Barrett) and Councilmember Dani Madrone was excused.

Special Recognition

  • Councilmembers read a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Earth Month. The proclamation was accepted by community member Dave Sederberg (formerly of Earthbound Productions, who jokingly said he was “just here representing the Earth”). Sederberg offered remarks on Earth flags, the Artemis II mission, and the importance of environmental stewardship. Mayor Payne noted this was the first proclamation delivered at a study session due to growing demand for recognitions.

Olympia Strong Work Plan Briefing

  • Economic Development Director Jennica Machado presented an update on the Olympia Strong Economic Development Plan, unanimously adopted in September 2024. The plan is organized around four focus areas: education and workforce pathways; housing and sense of security; business enterprise and resource support; and community livability, pride, and resiliency.
  • Successes highlighted: the Youth Council was fully implemented in January 2025; the city supported 10 social work internships over two years with three more upcoming; a requirement that city capital projects over $2 million have at least 15% of labor hours performed by apprentices; affordable housing projects such as Boulevard and Old 99; adaptive reuse projects like 505 Union; business training funded through Thurston EDC (44 participants, 50 businesses advised, 12 new businesses); Inspire grants distributed $2.3 million to cultural organizations supporting almost 900 programs; and progress on the Armory, Grass Lake Nature Park, and Rebecca Howard Park.
  • Machado proposed a new two-year pilot Workforce Investment Framework: $100,000 annually through SPSCC to fund tuition for high school graduates entering trade/vocational programs (e.g., automotive, welding, machine technologies), targeting ALICE/low-income households as a last-dollar-in after FAFSA, estimated to support 15–20 students per year.
  • Council discussion included:
    • Councilmember Vanderpool expressed concern that the plan lacks involvement of labor unions and working-class voices, and that it does not adequately address economic inequality and wages. City Manager Bernie noted separate ongoing work on wages led by Assistant City Manager Stacey Ray, and suggested linking findings to Olympia Strong later.
    • Councilmember Gilman stressed the need to stabilize working-class households, not just provide pathways for upward mobility. He also questioned how an "equity gap" was defined.
    • Councilmember Barrett questioned whether the city should fund scholarships, preferring targeted investments in infrastructure or areas with known worker shortages. Machado responded that the proposal uses 10-year occupation demand data.
    • Mayor Pro Tem Huỳnh suggested exploring professional development for small businesses and expanding internships. Councilmember Green advocated for paid internships. Several councilmembers supported expanding internship opportunities, including with local educational institutions and Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
    • Mayor Pro Tem Huỳnh flagged child care as an urgent priority and asked to move related initiatives from medium-term to near-term. Assistant City Manager Stacey Ray noted the city is partnering with Olympia School District on a needs assessment using a Commerce grant.

Waste ReSources Carpenter Road Facility Briefing

  • Public Works Director Mark Russell and Interim Waste ReSources Director Ron Jones briefed the council on the proposed Carpenter Road Waste ReSources Maintenance Facility.

  • The existing East Side Street maintenance center, purchased in 1973, is ~38,000 square feet and rated "poor" in a recent assessment, with $6 million in known mechanical/electrical deficiencies, seismic and ADA noncompliance, and space constraints. Repairs and renovations would cost at least $15 million but would not solve space needs.

  • A 2016-17 feasibility study concluded the city needs ~18 acres; after searching private properties, it recommended a phased approach using city-owned land. The Carpenter Road site (near Martin Way in Thurston County/Lacey UGA) is the proposed location for a waste resources/heavy-duty fleet facility.

  • Design is at 10% complete; Thurston County land use approval has been received; the old firing range was demolished; and site grading/rock removal is underway, making the site "shovel ready" by end of 2026. The facility would house ~40 staff and 46 vehicles.

  • Cost estimate: construction $33.5 million; design, management, inspection, and construction administration $3.8 million; permits and connection fees bring the total to just over $40 million. A $40 million debt obligation over 30 years would require ~$3 million annually, equivalent to a 24% increase to waste resources utility rates. The current average residential bi-monthly waste rate would rise from $65 to about $81.

  • Future cost drivers: a 2030 organics management requirement would need at least one additional truck and driver (~$600,000 one-time; ~$335,000 annually). The Recycle Reform Act could provide 50% reimbursement of recycling costs by 2030, rising to 90% by 2032, potentially offsetting rates. Fleet electrification would be phased.

  • Russell presented Washington State solid waste collection models: 20 of 281 cities operate their own utility, and nine provide both garbage and recycling. Rates for comparable cities with private haulers regulated by the UTC were listed as $69, $59, and $69 bi-monthly.

  • Three options were presented: (1) move forward with Carpenter Road; (2) explore contracting for services; (3) continue at the existing facility. Councilmember Gilman said option three should be taken off the table.

  • Council discussion:

    • Mayor Pro Tem Huỳnh emphasized the value of in-house staff and asked about renting space; Russell said the 2016 study found no suitable available facilities.
    • Councilmember Green expressed concern about the $40 million baseline and additional costs, citing tight budget cycles; she was open to an RFI.
    • Councilmember Vanderpool strongly opposed privatization, citing historical negative effects and concerns raised by Teamsters; he supported exhausting all options and floated regionalization. Staff explained franchise territory rules, noting a 7-10 year notice/condemnation period would make regionalization or reversing privatization difficult.
    • Councilmember Barrett was skeptical that private haulers could deliver lower costs, noting similar union wages and the risk of being "at the mercy" of outside forces after giving up the utility.
    • Councilmember Gilman framed the 24% increase as $8/month per household and stressed that any contracted service must still meet climate goals. He asked for more detail on option one and option two timelines.
    • Mayor Payne supported exploring both options but noted no decisions would be made that night.

  • At the end of the discussion, Mayor Payne polled council members: three (Vanderpool, Mayor Pro Tem Huỳnh, and Green) favored continuing option one (building the facility), and three (Barrett, Gilman, and Payne) favored also exploring option two (contracting via an RFI). Staff were directed to return with more details on an RFI process and answer questions about the current design without committing to a full 30% design.

Executive Session

  • The council recessed at 8:57 p.m. and reconvened at 9:02 p.m. for an executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) (litigation and potential litigation). The City Attorney was present. No decisions were made. The meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m.

Key Outcomes

  • No formal votes were taken during the study session.
  • The proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Earth Month was presented and accepted.
  • Council directed staff to explore contracting services (potentially via an RFI) and to continue developing the Carpenter Road facility proposal, bringing both sets of information back in a future study session. Staff were also asked to investigate some design questions without advancing to a full 30% design.
  • Council requested further work on expanding paid internships and considering child care as a near-term priority.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 study session of the Olympia City Council. For the record, we have a quorum with Councilmember Madron Excused and Councilmember Barrett joining us remotely tonight. Hi, Councilmember Barron, can you hear us? I can, thank you. Great. Okay. Um, so our first item tonight on our agenda is item 2A, which is a special recognition proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Earth month, and we have a shared reading of the proclamation beginning with Councilmember Green. Where Earth Day was created 56 years ago, recognizing the importance for everyone to participate in preserving our natural resources. And on that first Earth Day, 20 million Americans rallied for a healthy, sustainable environment, and whereas the global community now faces extraordinary challenges, such as global health issues, food and water shortages, and economic struggles, and whereas all life forms on Earth have the right to a healthy, sustainable environment, and whereas in Washington State, April is recognized as Earth Month, emphasizing the urgency of enlisting all people to protect and sustain life on the planet and whereas each year the City of Olympia also declares April as Earth month and urges others to do the same. And whereas the procession of the species was created in 1995 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Earth Day and to support congressional renewal of the Endangered Species Act, inspiring thousands. Go ahead. All right, inspiring thousands young and old to deepen their understanding, appreciation, and protection of the natural world. And whereas community members, schools, environmental organizations, and businesses have raised over a hundred Earth flags to unite those during the entire month, working in the interest of the planet and to build intergenerational action through local activism and global environmental consciousness. And now, therefore, be it resolved that the Olympia City Council does hereby proclaim April 2026 as Earth Month, signed in the City of Olympia, Washington this 21st day of April 2026, Olympia City Council, Dante Payne, Mayor. And now I'd like to invite up Dave Setterberg from Earthbound Productions, who uh has a few remarks and to accept the proclamation tonight. Hi Dave, good to see you. Uh I'm not currently with Earthbound Productions right now. Oh, okay. But we should finish. I'm just here representing the Earth. Mr. Mayor, members of the council and the other handsome people in the room today. Um I would like to thank you for your proclamation or recognition of Earth Month 2026. Oh, do I have a clicker? Are you clicking it for me? You got it for me, thanks. Uh your recognition of Earth Month coincides with the inspirational uh Artemis II mission around the moon, the appreciation of our exquisite planet from the moon's vantage point, and the progress in human equity incarnate in the astronauts engaged in that mission. The first flag was created by John McConnell in 1969 for the first Earth Day using a photo taken during the Apollo 10 mission on May 18th, 1969. The photo was breathtaking, but not a full depiction of our planet. It featured mostly clouds and ocean. The Earth flag was updated in 1973 with the iconic blue marble shot taken from Apollo 17 craft on December 7th, 1972. This was the full the first fully illuminated view of the planet against the blackness of space. Taken from roughly 28,000 miles away, it highlights Africa, Antarctica, and the southern hemisphere's clouds. It is a symbol of environmentalism and life's fragility and has been the image used on the Earth flag for over 50 years. Twelve humans, all Americans, all white male astronauts have walked on the moon's surface on six missions between July 1969 and 1972. For the first time in 54 years, providing a rare and much needed reason for pride in our country and all life, humans and Artemis II circumnavigated the moon again. The Artemis mission reflected the giant steps we've taken in the U.S. regarding equity. Artemis II included for the first time on a lunar mission, an African American pilot, Victor Glover, and the first women, first woman, mission specialist, Christina Koch. In these dark and often appalling times, we welcome occasions like this to celebrate the best in our species. Collaboration is humanity's greatest superpower. May we all work together during Earth Month and beyond to be good stewards of our extremely rare and beautiful planet Earth. Thank you. Thank you very much, Dave. Any comments from Council? All right. Well, I'm here to just express our gratitude to you, Dave. Um, so thank you for being here once again, and thank you for being such a vocal proponent of Earth Month. It is more than just one day, and frankly, it's more than a month, right? We should care all year round.

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