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.
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:
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.
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.