Note: Some of the information on this archival Web page may no longer be current.
Focus - July 1998
Inquiry of the Week
This week's "Inquiry of the Week":
[Previous inquiries of the week]
Salary Increases for Councilmembers and Commissioners
We are often asked if the salaries for elective city councilmembers or county commissioners can be raised by tying them to a standard such as the CPI without violating the state constitutional prohibition against elective officials raising their own salaries during their current term of office or after their election.
Although MRSC has advised in the past that this may be done, we have just learned that the State Auditior's Office has taken a contrary position. In view of the Auditor's position on this issue, MRSC can no longer recommend enactment of this type of salary ordinance. more ...
Water Rights Decision by Washington Supreme Court
On July 2, the Washington State Supreme Court issued an opinion in Department of Ecology (DOE) v. Theodoratus, holding that a final certificate of water right must be based on the amount of water actually put to beneficial use rather than the capacity of a private developer's water system. The court expressly declined to address whether different rules apply to municipal water supply.
Request for Ordinances
MRSC has received several requests for sample ordinances implementing the 1998 legislation authorizing the impoundment of vehicles driven by drivers with suspended or revoked licenses (ESHB 1221, Ch. 203, Laws of 1998). So far we have not been able to locate any samples.
If your city has drafted or adopted an ordinance on this subject please mail, fax (206-625-1220), or preferably, e-mail a copy to MRSC so we can share it with others. Thanks!
Joint Business License Registration Project
The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) has now completed the pilot phase of a joint city and state business license registration project on the Web with the cities of Bellevue and Richland. If your city or county would like to join the project, contact Nancy Skewis at DOL for more information.
New DOE Environmental Permit Assistance Web Site
The Washington State Department of Ecology's Permit Assistance Center has set up a Web site to help businesses and public agencies determine which state and/or federal environmental permits will be required for a particular project. The site's On-Line Permit Assistance System will help users create a customized list of permits and state/federal agency contacts for their individual projects.
Storm Water and Sewer Conservation and Efficiency Loans Authorized
Legislation was passed in 1998 implementing the constitutional amendment approved by voters in November 1997 allowing municipal storm water and sewer utilities to make loans to residential and business utility customers for storm water and sewer conservation and efficiency measures. more ...
If your county or city has adopted a loan program, please let us know so we can share the information with other interested local governments.
Toppenish - "The City of Murals"
Toppenish, the "City of Murals," has over 30 murals bringing to life scenes from the Old West: railroading, rodeos, farming, aviation events, Yakama Indian Nation scenes and various historical events. Every mural is an historically correct depiction of the area's history. You can take a virtual tour of the Toppenish murals from the city's Web site. Enjoy!
Renton's Crime Resistant Multi-Housing Program
The city of Renton is offering a new Crime Resistant Multi-Housing Program as a partnership between police and local landlords who are working together to foster a safe, healthy and crime-free community in rental housing.
Telecommunications Reminder
MRSC is still getting belated calls from various jurisdictions, typically as follows: "We have had three companies come to city hall in the past week and ask for applications for installation of wireless telecommunications facilities. We don't have any zoning regulations for such facilities, do you have information or sample ordinances?" Our answer is as follows: "We have lots of information and many sample ordinances and other documents - and the bulk of the information is readily accessible through our Web site's Telecommunications page."
The unfortunate result of delaying adoption of appropriate telecommunications ordinances is that the council will have to take on this project and complete it while the telecommunications companies are breathing down their necks. If you can start the process before the companies are on the doorstep, there is much less stress and a better likelihood of adopting an ordinance which meets the unique circumstances of your own community.
Web Sightings
Looking for legal resources on the Web? Take a look at these helpful sites:
- Gates to Northwest
Law - Private site with links to many Washington law resources.
- Know How on the Web - Private site
on information technology for the legal profession, including word processing,
document assembly, office automation, and the Internet. Includes a comprehensive
set of legal research links.
- Legal Ethics on the Internet -
Private site to assist legal professionals in understanding the unique ethical
issues raised by the Internet and Internet technology. Includes state bar
association ethics opinions on ethics rules relating to legal information
on the Internet.
- Washington State Code Revisor - The Code Revisor's Web site includes WAC updates and the bill drafting guide.
Archives and Records Management
MRSC is working with the state Division of Archives and Records Management to bring current information to cities and counties on the identification, preservation, and use of local government records. We have records retention manuals for county assessors, county auditors, and county treasurers on our Web site. We also have the Local Government General Records Retention Schedule and Records Management Manual.
In the next few months we will be posting schedules for county and superior court clerks, law enforcement agencies, county prosecutors and public defenders, and health districts. More ...
Pedestrian Page on WSDOT Web Site
The Highways and Local Roadways division of the Washington State Department of Transportation has developed an informative new Pedestrian Web page including information on planning, safety, mobility, design and maintenance, school/children, funding and training/conference event listings. While you are there, take a look at their Bicycle page too.
Hot Off the Press
We are pleased to announce a new publication available from MRSC - Governments
are from Saturn...Citizens are from Venus: Strategies for REconnecting Citizens
and Government. The publication highlights successful strategies that local
communities have used to rEconnect citizens with government, and to make government
work in the new information age. Copies were recently mailed to all cities,
towns, and counties. If you didn't get a copy in the mail - get
it now(
870kb) .
New Web Page on Proposed Salmon Listing under Endangered Species Act
We've recently added a new Web page - Endangered Species: Salmon - to share information on the impacts of the proposed listing of Puget Sound chinook and five other species of Washington salmon for protection as "threatened" species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The purpose of this page will be to assist Washington local governments in dealing with the impacts of the proposed ESA listing by providing a directory of ESA-related links and a place where officials and staff can share information on both current and proposed policies and programs.