Community Livability and Public Safety Committee Meeting – August 26, 2026

The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee of the Olympia City Council met on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers and online via Teams. Chair Dani Madrone called the meeting to order. Present were Committee members Kelly Green and Yến Huỳnh. The agenda and minutes from June 24, 2026 were approved. Public comment was received, and the Committee discussed three major agenda items: the Olympia Youth Council update and appointments, pedestrian safety and speeding tools, and the Inspire Olympia Cultural Access Program improvements.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Unanimously approved.
• Approval of Minutes (June 24, 2026): Unanimously approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kate Jarvala (Olympia resident) expressed concerns about speed safety cameras, asking about the company, alternatives considered (e.g., speed bumps), and the impact of cameras near her property (located by two schools). She also referenced controversies around Flock cameras. The Chair acknowledged the questions and noted the Committee was still early in exploring the topic.

Discussion Items

1. Olympia Youth Council Update and Appointments (6.A 26-0655)

• Presenters: Assistant to the City Manager Susan Grisham, Youth Council Chair Donovan Jojola.
• Donovan provided an update on the Youth Council’s accomplishments over the past year, including joint meetings with the Lacey Youth Council, co-hosting a youth summit, filming a transit PSA with Intercity Transit (to be released mid-September), receiving briefings on sanctuary city and public safety policies, developing recommendations for accessible public policy, and supporting the Youth Climate Action Fund grant process. Upcoming work includes a retreat, a third places for youth discussion, mental health briefings, and the 2027 work plan.
• The Youth Council recommended appointing 14 new members and reappointing existing members for the 2026-2027 term. The applications received 21 applicants, interviewed over three nights.
• Committee members expressed gratitude and support, discussed the importance of third places for youth, the upcoming transit PSA, and alignment of the Youth Council work plan with the City Council’s work plan.
• Vote: Committee Member Huỳnh moved, seconded by Green, to approve the recommended appointments and reappointments for the 2026-2027 term and forward the recommendation to the City Council. The motion passed unanimously (3-0).

2. Update on Pedestrian Safety and Tools to Reduce Speeding (6.B 26-0645)

• Presenters: Principal Planner Michelle Swanson, AICP, and Police Chief Shelby Parker.
• Michelle presented data on speeding issues citywide, noting that speeds increase fatality risk exponentially (e.g., hitting a pedestrian at 40 mph yields a 46% fatality risk vs. 8% at 20 mph). She identified safety corridors and existing efforts: temporary speed feedback signs (deployed 144 times since 2023, now 8 signs), street redesign projects (e.g., Phones Road reducing limit from 35 to 25 mph), and requiring traffic calming in new developments.
• Chief Parker discussed the three E’s: Education (social media, warnings, volunteer speed watch program that sent 325 letters in 2025 and 269 through June 2026), Enforcement (traffic stops increased from ~2,500 in 2024 to ~3,200 in 2025; citations issued in fewer than half, about 30% in recent periods), and Engineering (referring to Michelle’s work). She noted staffing challenges prevented a dedicated traffic unit until mid-to-late 2027.
• Michelle then explained state law for speed safety cameras (different from Flock cameras): no continuous recording, no images of drivers/passengers, data exempt from public records, cannot be used in other court actions, vendor payment limited to equipment/services. Cameras can only be used in school zones, park zones, hospital zones, and designated crash prevention zones. Olympia’s population allows up to six cameras. Fines up to $145 (double in school/crash prevention zones), reduced 50% for those on public assistance. Revenue can cover program costs and traffic calming. Staff would need ~1.5–2 FTEs.
• Michelle also outlined a potential traffic calming program ($500k-$2M/year) and foundational work (update 20 mph school zones, revise speed limit policy). Staff requested direction to explore both programs and return in about a year with implementation details.
• Committee members expressed interest in both speed safety cameras and traffic calming, discussed community concerns (vandalism in Bellevue, public skepticism), and emphasized the need for community engagement. Chair Madrone asked about staff lift and timeline; staff confirmed they could return in approximately one year with more information on funding and staffing.
• Outcome: The Committee directed staff to explore both speed safety cameras and a traffic calming program and to return with a detailed report on implementation requirements, funding, and staffing needs.

3. Inspire Olympia Cultural Access Program Improvements and Updates (6.C 26-0636)

• Presenters: Inspire Olympia Program Manager Marygrace Goddu, Senior Program Specialist Amelia Layton, Cultural Access in Public Schools Coordinator Molly Wilmoth, and Advisory Board Chair Melissa Mead.
• The presentation covered administrative updates, policy topics, and a new competitive funding pathway for in-school programming.
• Administrative Updates: Recommendations to add a line item for LTAC funding in the budget, add a question about alternate funding plans, and improve budget instructions. Committee generally supported these.
• Program Timeline: Two proposed options to provide more time for council review – either send funding recommendations directly to council (skipping CLIPS) or retain CLIPS review but target council action on the second Tuesday in June. The Committee leaned toward direct council submission to avoid scheduling barriers, but agreed to explore shortening the application window (from 8 to 6 weeks) to build in buffer time for potential council changes. Committee member Huỳnh expressed concern about insufficient buffer if council sends recommendations back; others noted the risk is low and language can be added to manage expectations.
• Grant Review Panel Selection: To address council concerns about non-appointed reviewers, the advisory board recommended formalizing recruitment (year-round, social media, website), using a strategic matrix, and allowing a CLIPS member to join the selection subcommittee. Committee members debated the complexity and workload, but after discussion, they tentatively supported the concept with a proposed touchpoint: CLIPS would receive a list of proposed review panelists (representing expertise) in February, prior to panel firings.
• Location-Based Eligibility: The advisory board recommended keeping the current definition (organizations outside city limits can qualify if majority of programs are in Olympia or serve Olympia residents/OSD students), and adding a question for such organizations to explain their eligibility. Committee members expressed concerns about the “majority” threshold and the risk of funding going to too many outside organizations. They requested staff refine the definition (e.g., higher percentage or a cap on funding for outside organizations) and return with a proposal. Several members indicated they want the vast majority of funds to go to Olympia-based organizations.
• Cultural Access in Public Schools (CAPS): Molly presented a new competitive grant pathway for in-school programming, building on existing field trip and transportation allocations. This was approved by council in June. The Committee received the information and did not raise objections.
• Overall Outcome: The Committee provided direction on the timeline (preferring direct council submission with a shortened application window), supported most administrative and policy recommendations with refinement needed on location eligibility, and asked for a refined proposal on the grant review panel selection process including a CLIPS touchpoint.

Key Outcomes

• Youth Council Appointments: Unanimously approved (3-0) to forward appointments and reappointments for the 2026-2027 term to the full City Council for approval.
• Speed Safety Cameras and Traffic Calming: Committee directed staff to explore both programs and return in approximately one year with a detailed implementation plan, including staffing, funding, and timeline analysis.
• Inspire Olympia Program Improvements: Committee supported administrative updates, agreed to explore a shortened application window and direct council submission for funding awards, asked for refinement of location-based eligibility criteria (higher threshold or cap), and proposed a CLIPS touchpoint for review panel selection. Staff will incorporate feedback and return with updated recommendations for council study session.