HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/19/2014 04A Draft City of Yakima 2015 State Legislative and Administrative PrioritiesBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 4.A.
For Meeting of: August 19, 2014
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ITEM TITLE: Draft City of Yakima 2015 State Legislative and
Administrative Priorities
SUBMITTED BY: Randy Beehler, Communications & Public Affairs Director
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At the recommendation of the City's Olympia lobbyist, Jim Justin, draft City of Yakima 2015
State Legislative and Administrative Priorities are being presented for consideration by the
Council much earlier than in previous years. By adopting priorities for next year now, the
Council will allow lobbying efforts regarding the City's state legislative and administrative
agenda to begin immediately.
The Council Partnerships Committee has reviewed the draft priorities and recommends their
adoption.
Resolution: Ordinance:
Other (Specify):
Contract: Contract Term:
Start Date: End Date:
Item Budgeted: NA Amount:
Funding Source/Fiscal
Impact:
Strategic Priority: Partnership Development
Insurance Required? No
Mail to:
Phone:
APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL:
City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
The Council Partnerships Committee recommends adoption of the draft 2015 State Legislative
and Administrative Priorities as presented.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
Memorandum - Draft City of Yakima 2015 State
Legislative and Administrative Priorities
Draft City of Yakima 2015 State Legislative and
Administrative Priorities
/6/2014 Cover Memo
/6/2014 Cover Memo
NE ED
HELM
To: Yakima City Council Members
From: City Manager Tony O'Rourke
Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler
Subject: Draft 2015 State Legislative and Administrative Priorities
Date: Wednesday, August 13th, 2014
Council Members,
In the last two years, the City Council has adopted a simple, single -page, easy -to -read list of
State Legislative and Administrative Priorities. The straightforward priorities list has proven to be
a highly effective communication tool in the City's efforts to share its strategic agenda in Olympia
with legislators and state agency staff.
At the recommendation of the City's Olympia lobbyist, Jim Justin, draft City of Yakima 2015 State
Legislative and Administrative Priorities are being presented for consideration by the Council
much earlier than in previous years. By adopting priorities for next year now, the Council will
allow lobbying efforts regarding the City's state legislative and administrative agenda to begin
immediately. Doing so will provide additional opportunities for the City to present its 2015 State
Legislative and Administrative Priorities to elected officials, state agency staff, organizations the
City partners with, and others well before next year's legislative session even begins.
The Council Partnerships Committee has reviewed the draft priorities and recommends their
adoption.
It is likely that legislation affecting the City will develop after the Council adopts the City's 2015
State Legislative and Administrative Priorities. When that occurs, the Council will be asked to
take a formal "support" or "oppose" position on such legislation. That process was utilized during
the past legislative session and allowed the City to quickly respond to evolving events in Olympia.
The format of the draft City of Yakima 2015 State Legislative and Administrative Priorities list is
largely similar to those developed during the last two years. Priorities are still listed under
"Actively Pursue" (highest priority) and "Support" (lower priority) headings. A new "Monitor"
heading has also been added to help identify potential legislation that the City has a vested
interest in but does not intend to take a formal position on.
Due to the Council's heightened focus on state legislative and administrative affairs over the past
two years, and with the expert guidance and assistance provided by Jim Justin, the City's profile
and its role in affecting the agenda in Olympia have been significantly enhanced. By continuing
to concentrate on refining strategies and tactics, the City will build on the successes it has
enjoyed during the last two legislative session and grow the influence that it has on the agenda in
the Washington State Capital.
Please let Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler know if you have any
questions about the draft 2015 State Legislative and Administrative Priorities prior to the
Council's August 19th business meeting.
City of Yakima
2015
State Legislative and Administrative Priorities
Actively Pursue
- Passage of a transportation revenue package and accompanying
transportation revenue reforms to ensure funding for state and local projects
- Funding partners to assist with Mill Site infrastructure costs
- Sustainable funding for gang prevention, intervention, and suppression
programs
- Funding partners to assist with North 1st Street improvement project costs
- Development of a funding mechanism to assist in meeting increased indigent
defense costs resulting from the State Supreme Court ruling limiting defender
case loads b
- Amending existing state statutes to accommodate cities being able to be
granted administrative warrants to investigate potential building code
violations ® ®®®® ®®®®®®®®®®®®
Support
- Adding "ability to pay" to considerations regarding labor union arbitration settlements
- Funding new rounds of Local Revitalization Financing projects
- Eliminating current requirement for cities to pay medical costs for felons
- Allowing cities to use Real Estate Excise Tax ("REET) 2 funds for capital debt service
- Strengthening access to public records by curbing abusive requests
- Funding new rounds of Public Works Trust Fund projects
Monitor
- Distribution of a portion of marijuana excise tax revenue to local jurisdictions
- Voting Rights Act