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MRSC FOCUS › Focus - June 2003
 

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Focus - June 2003

Governor Signs Law Adopting New Local Government Funding Authority (June 25)
On June 20, the governor, with a partial veto (Adobe Acrobat Document20 KB), signed 2ESSB 5659 (Adobe Acrobat Document49 KB), providing new funding authority for local governments. The bill authorizes, with voter approval, an additional county-wide sales tax of up to $0.03, and authorizes counties and cities, also with voter approval, to impose additional property taxes. The governor vetoed two sections of the bill that would have allowed counties meeting certain criteria to "opt out" of the GMA. This legislation has an emergency clause and will take effect on July 1. More about the new local government funding authority …
State Court of Appeals Upholds Mini-Casino Ban (June 24)
On June 23, Division One of the Washington State Court of Appeals in Edmonds Shopping Center Assoc. v. City of Edmonds upheld an Edmonds prohibition on cardrooms, including what are called "mini-casinos," while concluding that the city did not have the authority to provide for a phase-out of existing cardrooms. As a consequence of this decision, the Edmonds ban applies immediately to existing cardrooms, with no phase-out period. More about the mini-casino ban …
Brownfields 2003 Conference (June 25)
Join thousands of people interested in brownfields cleanup and reuse at the free Brownfields 2003 Conference in Portland, Oregon, October 27 - 29, 2003. Co-sponsored by ICMA and the US EPA, the program will include many different panel sessions, workshops, and roundtable discussions, along with the prestigious Phoenix Awards and an extensive exhibit hall.
Washington Cities and Counties in the News (June 25)
This is a new Focus section that will feature selected news clippings from around the state highlighting current events, trends and other news that impacts city and county governments in Washington:
Study Reveals Fast Population Growth in Small Cities (June 25)
Small cities grew substantially in population at a rate of 18.5 percent during the 1990s, outpacing growth in both medium sized cities (12.9 percent) and large cities (9.1 percent), according to a study, "Demographic Change in Small Cities 1990 - 2000" (Adobe Acrobat Document200 KB), released by the National League of Cities.
Workers' Compensation Benefits Increase 1.9 Percent (June 25)
Workers currently receiving Washington workers' compensation time-loss or pension benefits will receive a 1.9 percent cost-of-living increase on July 1, 2003. More from L&I News.
Spokane County Debuts eMitigation System (June 25)
Spokane County's new online eMitigation system for traffic violations will save many residents a trip to the County Courthouse and maybe even a few bucks off of their traffic fines. More about the Spokane County eMitigation system ...
Local Government 101 - Initiative and Referendum Powers (June 25)
There is increasing interest in the power of the people at both the state and local level to directly exercise authority to enact and repeal laws. This authority is exercised through the powers of initiative and referendum. More about local government initiative and referendum powers …
Cities Respond to Sluggish Economy (June 17)
As the national economy continues its downward spiral, local leaders are taking drastic measures to ward off deficits and shortfalls that could force increases in taxes and service fees. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.
When the Housing Bubble Bursts (June 17)
Some experts think there is a disconnect between the overall economy and housing prices. They worry that another bubble, like the one in the technology sector, is in the offing. More from Planning Magazine.
Paper vs. Electronic Council Packets (June 17)
Woodinville and a few other cities are experimenting with electronic council packets that can be easily distributed to councilmembers and posted on city Web sites. But the electronic versions are not entirely replacing the paper versions. More from Northwest News.
Changing Public Library Funding (June 17)
If museums, orchestras, public broadcasting stations and other cultural institutions can raise substantial portions of their budgets from non-tax revenues, why can't libraries? More from American City & County.
Personnel - Employee Drug Testing (June 17)
In "Safety versus Privacy: When May a Public Employer Require a Drug Test?" Diane M. Juffras discusses the legal basis for substance abuse testing, and suggests ways for public employers to develop policies that will withstand challenges. More from Popular Government (Adobe Acrobat Document1.36 MB).
Personnel - Internet Symposium on Employment Practices (June 17)
The Public Entity Risk Institute will host a free Internet symposium, "Employment Practices Liability: Issues and Strategies," on June 23-27. The online symposium will feature a series of e-mailed issue papers, and an on-line discussion area where participants can exchange ideas, post comments, and ask questions.
Making Smart IT Choices (June 17)
The Center for Technology in Government, University at Albany, State University of New York, recently published "Making Smart IT Choices: Understanding Value and Risk in Government IT Investments" to help government organizations make good decisions about when and how to invest in information technology.
Web Site Finds Human Service Providers in Pierce County (June 17)
Pierce County's First Source web site allows citizens to search or browse through a comprehensive list of local human service providers.
Web Sightings - New Urbanism (June 17)
Since architects and town planners Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk pioneered the New Urbanism concept at Seaside, Florida in the 1980s, many communities have adopted New Urbanist or neo-traditional development standards into their plans and codes. To find out more, check out these links:
Ballot-Box Zoning (June 17)
In "Ballot-Box Zoning: Good Planning or Vigilantism?" Lora A. Lucero, describes the debate over zoning by initiative and referendum (I&R), reviews the most notable uses of I&Rs in the land-use context, and discusses recent court decisions. More from Zoning News.
See You at the AWC Conference in Spokane! (June 11)
Be sure to drop by and visit the MRSC booth on Wednesday and Thursday (June 18 -19) during the Association of Washington Cities Conference in Spokane. You can enter to win "The Washington Local Government Official’s Ultimate Survival Kit" and some other conference goodies. Leave your business card in the fish bowl and say hello to one of our friendly staff members.
Tacoma Takes E-Government to a New Level (June 11)
The city of Tacoma has long held the reputation of being the United States' number one wired city. Now, with the implementation of the city's Business Systems Improvement Project, Tacoma may claim the title of the nation's most e-government friendly city. More from Nation's Cities Weekly.
Unscrambling the City (June 11)
"Archaic zoning laws lock cities into growth patterns that hardly anybody wants. Changing the rules can help set them free." More from Governing Magazine.
King County Hosts Electronic Flea Market (June 11)
King County's Online Exchange offers King County residents a quick, simple and free means of selling or giving away unwanted household goods. The county sees it as an environmentally-friendly way to pass on items without throwing them away.
Wenatchee Wins Main Street Award (June 11)
The city of Wenatchee was recently selected as one of five cities in the nation to receive a 2003 Great American Main Street Award, recognizing exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing America's historic and traditional downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. The annual award program is sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Main Street Center.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Park Systems (June 11)
A new report from the Trust for Public Land, "The Excellent City Park System: What Makes it Great, and How to Get There," lists the "seven habits of highly effective park systems" based on data collected from 55 cities. The 48-page report also provides examples of exceptional practices in the cities studied.
Wal-Mart's Social and Economic Impact (June 11)
In a four-part series for Morning Edition, NPR News explores the rise of Wal-Mart, examining the company's low-cost philosophy, what happens to a small town's Main Street when a Wal-Mart opens up nearby, and its growing pains as Wal-Mart fights lawsuits alleging it discriminates against women.
So You Want to Do a Survey... (June 11)
Surveys are becoming an increasingly popular tool of local governments.
What types of surveys are local governments using, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? More from Popular Government (Adobe Acrobat Document179 KB).
LGEAN Offers Online Hydrologic Impact Assessment Tool (June 11)
The Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment (L-THIA) model is an online tool available from the Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN) that can be used to assess the hydrologic impacts of existing or proposed land use changes and to support planning aimed at minimizing disturbance of critical areas.
Cities Confront Tough Choices as Fiscal Conditions Decline (June 3)
America's city officials face tough choices as fiscal conditions decline across the nation. The outlook is that the situation will worsen in the near future, according to a new report published by the National League of Cities.
Local Records Grant Program (June 3)
The Washington Secretary of State's Office recently announced the 2003 - 2005 local records grant program designed to preserve and protect the records of local government in Washington State. Applications for the 2003 - 2005 grant program are due August 1, 2003. More from the Secretary of State's Web site.
Planning for Pension Payoffs (June 3)
A looming crisis in public sector retirement finance has government officials scrambling to cover the costs of their employees' pension plans. More from American City & County.
The Benefits of Urban Parks (June 3)
Could you use some help explaining the tangible benefits of urban parks to your mayor or city council? The American Planning Association's (APA) City Parks Forum has begun a series of briefing papers on how healthy parks are fundamental to many aspects of community prosperity. The first three papers in the series are now available on APA's Web site.
Discover Parks in Pierce County (June 3)
Citizens who want to find a park to visit in Pierce County can use the county's online DiscoverParks service, which gives them eight different ways to locate nearby parks. The site also includes maps, driving directions, and facility information for every park in the county.
Healthy Civic Infrastructure Fosters Community Development (June 3)
A new study from the Bookings Institution's Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy, "Civic Infrastructure and the Financing of Community Development," indicates that those communities with the strongest and most diverse network of non-profit community development organizations realize the greatest private sector participation.
How to Make Transit-Oriented Development Work (June 3)
Even a cursory glance around the country suggests that transit-oriented development is hot. Its advocates tout benefits ranging from more compact development and less automobile dependence to new retail opportunities and improved quality of life. More from the American Planning Association's Web site.
Tips for Mower Safety (June 3)
Whether caring for city or county grounds, parks or sports fields, grounds maintenance staff should follow some general mowing safety guidelines. Taking proper precautions can prevent grounds-care-related injuries as well as their costs. More from American City & County.