HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/16/2010 09 2011 State Legislative Priorities BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No.
For Meeting Of November 16, 2010
ITEM TITLE City of Yakima 2011 State Legislative Priorities.
SUBMITTED BY Richard A. Zais,
City Manager
CONTACT Michael Morales, 575 -3533
SUMMARY EXPLANATION
Attached is summary draft of the city's 2011 State Legislative Priorities These issues have
been discussed with the Council Legislative Committee Our legislative agenda is developed in
consultation with council, department staff and other cities that share common interests and
concerns, in addition to our involvement with the various legislative subcommittees of
Association of Washington Cities In addition, we have also worked closely with the Office of
the Attorney General on anti -gang legislation As with any issue, all cities do not always take
the same position on specific bills, nor do we all place the same level of priority on certain
issues in the legislative arena
• The Legislative Agenda sets the stage from a general issue and policy standpoint for the city
Based on its content, staff will monitor and recommend positions in support or opposition of bills
that come up during the session relating to the topics identified in our agenda Staff and council
may also advocate for the creation of legislation and financial requests that meet the objectives
of the legislative agenda.
Resolution Ordina a Contract _ Other Adoption
Approval for Submittal
Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption
BOARD RECOMMENDATION Council Legislative Committee recommends adoption
COUNCIL ACTION
•
1
• CITY OF YAKIMA DRAFT
2011 STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
PROPOSED
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Support Gang Legislation proposed by the Office of the State Attorney General, including
specific provisions related to
• Funding for gang prevention and intervention strategies,
O Gang Nuisance Abatement Efforts,
• Anti -Gang Protection Orders
✓ Increased penalties for gang intimidation m schools
U Firearms forfeiture
U Proceeds form forfeited property to local communities for criminal street gang - related
law enforcement activities.
o Sentencing enhancements for gang related offenses, and the use of civil injunctions on known
gang members and enterpnses.
Public Defense Funding & Standards.
o Support additional funding for local grants through the Office of Public Defense
U Oppose efforts to impose additional unfunded mandates that increase costs to local
governments.
• FISCAL HEALTH AND FLEXIBILITY
Ensure continued appropriation of committed state shared funds (such as Streamlined Sales
Tax Mitigation, City- County Assistance Account, and public health funding.),
Preserve existing local revenue authorities; and retain current authorities — neither add new
requirements or take current authorities away
CAPITAL BUDGET
Miller Park Activity Center Expansion -- $750,000• Funding to retrofit former senior center
and pool complex that now serves at risk youth in Yakima through the Yakima Police Athletic
League.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS
Maintain existing and establish new and broad application of existing tax incentives to promote
economic development and infrastructure expansion.
Increase Existing Grant and Loan Programs to stay current with construction inflation. This
includes the Public Works Assistance Account (Public Works Trust Fund), Transportation
Improvement Board, WSDOT Highways and Local Programs (i.e Bicycle /Pedestrian
• Programs), opportunities withm MTCA (Model Toxics Control Act) funds for one -time capital
mvestments.
PERSONNEL & LABOR RELATIONS •
Pursue amendments to critena for bmdmg interest arbitration. Consider other factors such as
ability to pay, economic conditions and other regional characteristics.
Pension Funding: Pursue level /stable contribution rates that do not fluctuate with economic
"boom/bust" cycles. Defer any increase in employer contributions from July 2011 to January
2012.
Extend provisions of furlough impact to pensions — Current law mitigates the pension impact
of furloughs on some employees. It adjusts_ a retiring employee's benefit calculation to account
for compensation the employee would have earned had it not been for the furlough — during the
2009 -11 biennium only
PREEMPTION OF LOCAL AUTHORITY & UNFUNDED MANDATES
Oppose legislation that preempts local authority over policy or operational prerogatives that have
historically and traditionally been vested with local government.
Oppose unfunded mandates on local government, especially those that would result in the loss of
existing revenue or revenue authority
PUBLIC RECORDS
Pursue pro - active public records proposals that address some of the problems that come with the
burgeoning public records.
LIQUOR ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES
Support continued state funding for the Liquor Control Board's enforcement operations
including advocating for increased enforcement levels to address the public safety impacts of
legislation intended to expand the sales and availability of liquor
•
2