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MRSC FOCUS › Focus - August 2001
 

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Focus - August 2001

Shorelines Hearings Board Invalidates DOE's Shoreline Master Program Guidelines

The state Shorelines Hearings Board on August 27 issued a decision invalidating, on a number of grounds, the shoreline master program guidelines adopted by the Department of Ecology (DOE) on November 29, 2000. The decision was accompanied by two opinions, by board members Kaleen Cottingham and Martin Carty and Pierre Peltier concurring in part and dissenting in part. The DOE guidelines have generated much controversy over Endangered Species Act compliance, the timetable for local government compliance, and unfunded mandate issues. The decision may be appealed to superior court within 30 days. (August 28)

Next Webmasters Meeting: September 20

All Washington city and county officials and staff are invited to attend the next Webmasters meeting on September 20 from 10:00 - 4:30 in Fife. The group meets three times per year. September topics include local government involvement in the state's Digital Academy, streaming video, metadata standards, and Web site redesign issues and process. See the complete agenda. No fee, but registration required. For questions, contact Fred Ward. (August 21)

Domestic Partner Benefits Upheld by Court

The state supreme court ruled on August 23, in Heinsma v. Vancouver, that it is constitutional for a city to extend insurance benefits to the domestic partners of city employees. Justice Sanders dissented. (August 24)

Inquiry of the Week

This week's "Inquiry of the Week":

Is a person eligible for veterans' preference in civil service if they have only been in the military a few months before being honorably discharged for medical reasons?

[Previous inquiries of the week]

Local Governments Must Appoint Agents to Receive Claims for Damages

State law currently requires that a claim for damages must be presented and filed with the governing body of each local government entity within the applicable period of limitations. New legislation enacted at the 2001 legislative session, which became effective July 22, 2001, requires that the governing body of each local government formally appoint an agent to receive these claims for damages. The identity and location of the agent during business hours must be recorded with the county auditor. See ESHB 1530, enacted as Ch. 119, Laws of 2001. (August 17)

New AWC Leadership Workshop

The Great Local Government: Active, Agile & Accountable (September 13, SeaTac) is part of AWC's new Leadership series or workshops. The full-day workshop will focus on the distinguishing hallmarks of a superb local government that responds to today's challenges: increasing trust in government; using the "Four Pillars of Commitment" to actively involve key stakeholders; designing simple benchmarks that can be effectively measured and promoted; and changing your workplace culture to create less bureaucracy. (August 17)

Cities and Counties Responsible for Appellate Defense Costs

In Kitsap County v. Moore, decided on July 19, the state supreme court held that local governments, rather than the state, are responsible for paying the costs of appeals by indigent misdemeanant defendants from courts of limited jurisdiction (district and municipal courts) to superior court. (August 1)

New Open Public Meetings Act Decision

The state court of appeals issued a decision on July 27 on the application of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) to members-elect of a governing body and to e-mail communications between members of a governing body. In Battle Ground School District v. Wood, the court determined that the OPMA does not by its terms expressly apply to members-elect of a governing body, and that it is up to the state legislature, not the courts, to decide that it does. The court also held that the OPMA can apply to the exchange of e-mail between governing body members if they intend to transact official business and discuss issues that may or will come before the body for a vote. (July 30)

Updating Your Telecommunications Ordinances?

In the wake of the Auburn v. Qwest (Adobe Acrobat Document165 Kb) decision, many cities need to revise their master telecom ordinance -- for a well-done recent example, check out Port Angeles Ord. No. 3083. If you are working on updating your wireless telecom ordinance, Port Angeles Ord. No. 3089 is also worth reviewing. (August 1)

New County Revenue Guide Available

MRSC's newest publication, A Revenue Guide for Washington Counties (View this publication in HTML on the Web or View/Download this publication in Adobe Acrobat (Adobe Acrobat Document 409 Kb)) gives policymakers and administrators an overview of the various revenue sources that are available for county programs and services. (July 18)

Automated Marriage Licenses in Spokane County

Spokane County's automated marriage license program saves staff time and reduces data entry errors. More … (August 1)

Budget Suggestions for 2002 Is Now Available

Budget Suggestions for 2002 (Adobe Acrobat Document 393 Kb) has information on budget calendars, forecasts for state-shared revenues, the CPI, and the implicit price deflator, and 2001 legislation. It also has articles on topics ranging from tax increment financing to strategic financial planning. (July 17)

NACO Reports on Arts Programs

A new report from the National Association of Counties, Arts Programs: Solutions to County Challenges (Adobe Acrobat Document1.8 Mb), examines art programs across the country that participated in the Arts and Culture Awards Program. The report also contains a survey on art programs in counties nationwide. (August 1)

Council Packets Online

The city of Bellingham is now posting their city council meeting packets online. (August 1)

New PTI Guidebook on Smart Response Technologies

A new publication from Public Technology, Inc., How We Can Work Together: A Guidebook to Smart Response through Coordinating Local Public Safety and Transportation Information and Technology (Adobe Acrobat Document840 Kb), encourages the coordination of information technology and communications infrastructure investments to enable local transportation, police, fire, and emergency medical services agencies to leverage their resources and work together more effectively. (August 1)

ADA Parking Education Program

The City of Vancouver's Parking Enforcement Volunteers currently make sure no one parks illegally in a disabled parking stall. In addition to these regular duties, the city has trained their volunteers to determine whether the disabled parking spaces comply with state and federal standards. More from Vancouver's Web site. (August 1)

Sustainability Codes and Ordinances

NACO's Joint Center for Sustainable Communities has collected examples of local codes, ordinances, policies and resolutions related to sustainability. You can search the Joint Center Codes collection by subject, county or state. (August 1)

OFM Information for Local Governments

The Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) serves local governments in a variety of ways. OFM provides population estimates and forecasts and also publishes information on county finances. Available online are the OFM Population Estimates and Forecasts, County and City Information and the Washington State Data Book. (August 1)

Model Pipeline Ordinances Available

MRSC's model pipeline ordinances are now available for jurisdictions that have hazardous liquid or natural gas transmission pipelines. The model franchise ordinance was a collaborative effort, with much thanks going to Bellingham, Bellevue, and the Pipeline Consortium representatives for their assistance. (July 6)

Web Sightings – Reference Sources

These days you'll find a wealth of reference tools on the Internet at your fingertips. Here are some of our favorite sites: (August 1)

Washington City/County History Quiz

This city was settled in the mid-1800's, and in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed an executive order making it the "SEcond National City." Logging and timber have long been important industries, and in 1912 it was home to the world's largest sawmill. Its natural deep-water harbor has always attracted shipping and both commercial and sports fishing. Due to the areas natural beauty, moderate climate, excellent medical facilities and extensive public transportation system, it has become a very popular retirement community and regularly ranks high in national surveys of desirable places to live and retire. What city is it? And the answer is ~drum roll~ ... (August 1)

Selected New MRSC Library Materials

Browse through a selected list of new MRSC Library materials (listed by subject). The list includes new library books, videos, articles, government publications, and more.

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