HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/04/2015 04A 2015 State Legislative Session ReviewITEM TITLE:
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 4.A.
For Meeting of: August 4, 2015
2015 State Legislative Session Review
Randy Beehler, Communications & Public Affairs Director
The 2015 session of the Washington State Legislature was extended by three special sessions. Key
legislation passed during the session includes a comprehensive transportation package, a capital projects
budget, and additional funding for basic education. The City's Olympia lobbyist, Jim Justin, will provide the
City Council with a summary of the legislative session and how the City fared on its 2015 State Legislative
Priorities (attached) during the August 4th business meeting.
Resolution: Ordinance:
Other (Specify):
Contract: Contract Term:
Start Date: End Date:
Item Budgeted: NA Amount:
Funding Source/Fiscal Impact: N/A
Strategic Priority: Partnership Development
Insurance Required? No
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City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
D 2015 Yakliina State 11...eglisllatlive Summary IRelrx:mirt
Upload Date
7/27/.2015
Type
C'Xm r Memo
2015 VVa S Itartstmtatlion Package IProjects -14th & .
7/.28/.20'15
15th IDistricts
Cover Memo
City of Yakima
Legislative Priorities Report — 2015 Legislative Sessions
Actively Pursue
1. Transportation Funding and Reforms -The Legislature increased revenue and allocated a bit
more than $16 billion in new funds over the next 16 years for specific projects and programs.
Gas taxes were increased by 7 cents effective August 1, 2015 and an additional 4.9 cents in July
of 2016. A variety of weight fees were also increased as were vehicle and driver fees.
A half dozen reforms were also enacted designed to increase accountability and efficiency in
everything from ferry construction to permit processes and timing. These reforms were critical
to secure the votes needed to pass revenue.
The City of Yakima and Legislative Districts 14 and 15 did quite well in the package. Attached is
a list of the specific projects including the timing of the resource distribution. A separate list
outlines the transit resources allocated including those designated for Yakima.
2. Mill Site — Education work has been done with some legislators. That work needs to continue
as the specific costs associated with the project are defined.
3. Gang Prevention, Intervention, and Suppression Funding—The Operating budget increased
funding for these purposes from $250,000 to $500,000 a year over the next two years. These
are competitive resources that Yakima has secured in the past.
4. North First Street — The additional transportation revenues also increased the direct
distributions to cities by over $187 million over the next 16 years. Yakima will receive an
additional $116,000 a year in 2016 and 2017, and $249,000 a year from current allocations for
the following 14 years (2018-2031).
5. Indigent Defense Cost—The traffic infraction fees were increased in order to secure an
additional $4.6 million. In an earlier budget all of these resources were allocated to public
defense grants for cities and counties. In the end only $1.8 million were allocated for these
purposes.
6. Administrative Warrants for Building Code Violations — No legislation introduced in 2015.
Support
1. Binding Interest Arbitration and Ability to Pay — No legislation introduced in 2015.
2. Local Revitalization Financing — No new allocations considered.
3. State aid for Medical Costs for Felons — reviewed but no resources granted.
4. REET 2 Purposes - HB 2122 expanded the purposes of REET 1 & 2 for maintenance purposes with
conditions and limits.
5. Public Works Trust Fund — Clearly the largest disappointment this session. In the end the
Legislature did not provide any funding for new projects and reallocated $73 million from the
Trust Fund for other purposes. Bond proceeds were used to cover loans already under contract.
Monitor
1. Marijuana Tax Revenue and Local Land Use Authority — HB 2136 was passed and provides cities
and counties that allow retail outlets $12 million in the next biennium. Those allocations grow
during the next two biennium. There were efforts to prohibit cities and counties from banning
the sale of marijuana in their respective jurisdiction. Those efforts were defeated.
2. Voting Rights Act — HB 1745 would have authorized district based elections and required
redistricting and new elections under certain circumstances. The bill was approved by the
House but died in the Senate.
Capital Budget
1. The Capital Budget includes a number of allocations to the Yakima area including resources in
the Dept. of Ecology for Yakima River Basin Water Supply - $30 million, the Yakima Sun Dome -
$2 million, Yakima Children's Museum Center - $50,000, and the three Tiger toxic clean-up
projects.
Proiect
1-82 On and
Off Ramps
2015 Washington State Transportation Package Projects
in 14th and 15th Legislative Districts
Leg District(s)
15th
1-82 Yakima/Union 14th & 15th
Gap Lane Widening
East/West Corridor
Bridge
Yakima Transit
Buses
Naches Rail to Trail
Project — Phase 5
(Greenway — Old Naches
Highway to 40th Avenue)
Cowiche Canyon
Trail Expansion
Funding by Biennium
2017-19 - $9 million
2019-21 - $25.4 million
2021-23 - $4.531 million
2023-25 - $44.76 million
2025-27 - $15.106 million
15th 2021-23 - $5.799 million
2023-25 - $26.989 million
2025-27 - $17.256 million
14th 2015 -17 - $2 million
14th 2015-17 - $2 million
14th 2015-17 - $2 million
Total Funding
$34.4 million
$64.413 million
$50.044 million
$2 million
$2 million
$2 million
SR 14/Bingen
Overpass
SR 14/Wind River
Junction
SR 241/Mabton
Bridge
US 12/Wildcat
Bridge Replacement
14th 2015-17 - $1.4 million
2017-19 - $2 million
2019-21 - $19.5 million
14th 2015-17 - $650,000
2017-19 - $4.2 million
2019-21 - $300,000
15th 2017-19 - $6 million
2019-21 - $6 million
14th 2015-17 - $700,000
2017-19 - $2.6 million
2019-21 - $8.7 million
$22.9 million
$5.15 million
$12 million
$12 million