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Home My WebLink About01/05/2016 02 State Legislative & Administrative Priorities ReviewITEM TITLE: SUBMITTED BY: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: '1111111 1, nun 11,1:1141r10 BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 2. For Meeting of: January 5, 2016 State Legislative & Administrative Priorities Review Randy Beehler, Communications & Public Affairs Director The 2016 session of the Washington State Legislature will begin on January llth. This year's session is an off-year, short session and is scheduled to last no more than 60 days. The City's contracted Olympia lobbyist, Jim Justin, and his subcontractor, Jennifer Ziegler, will brief the City Council regarding the upcoming session and review the City's adopted 2016 State Legislative & Administrative Priorities during the January 5th Special 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 Mail to: Phone: APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: RECOMMENDATION: N/A ATTACHMENTS: Description City Manager Upload Date Type D 2016 Ileglisllatlivelprioritlies 12/28/2015 Cover Memo 2016 Assocliatlion of Washington Cities II...eglisllatlive D 12/2412015 Cover Memo IPrioriitlies City of Yakima 2016 State Legislative and Administrative Priorities Actively Pursue - Strengthening access to public records by curbing abusive requests - Funding partners to assist with North 1st Street and Yakima Central Plaza project costs - Funding partners to assist with Mill Site infrastructure and landfill cleanup costs - Amending existing state statutes to accommodate cities being able to be granted administrative warrants to investigate potential building code violations - Development of a sustainable funding model for gang prevention, intervention, and suppression programs given current funding will expire in 2017 - Development of a sustainable funding model to assist in meeting increased indigent defense costs given current funding will expire in 2017 Support - Yakima Basin Integrated Plan funding requests - Giving cities more authority regarding liquor license renewals - Halting the diversion of funds from infrastructure programs that benefit cities, such as the Public Works Trust Fund and the Local Revitalization Financing program - Adding "ability to pay" to considerations regarding labor union arbitration settlements - 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 Monitor - Efforts to amend the Open Public Meetings Act regarding committee meetings - Voting Rights Act 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 111111111111111111111111111110111 11111111111111111111111111111111 liumolupooll ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON CITIES 1111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111 11111111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111, IIII 100000000 I111111111h1 111 11111111111, 111111 1 IIS I1Doi I ull a I IIII • lly 111111 .J: „J 1 IA00010.00.0000.1„1111,111,111,111,10,1110,11R1VIII VIII�I II 111111 VIII �I II ljuul� II 4 ( NE � � Infrastructure in It the c'Iivcurslir Eur uriro tori°tic llf firm Fm' s°turuuc°tuuurm" p ur m,ur Inros t F 11111 po cities mnd poour s cur City infrastructure systems are a critical part of a larger network that serves and benefits the entire state. Diversion from programs that support basic local infrastructure means that communities cannot affordably maintain and secure new infrastructure. We need to reboot, and potentially reformulate this partnership.The state's abandonment of these programs cannot be the only option. Fiscal Sustainability k uu°mmrr Ore mrruu liicien andi°imllm°XI10103IImm MU e 001 U 011m if001111 essentoll llf city services The current method of funding city services is fundamentally broken. Many available revenue options are either constricted, restricted, or unpredictable. Cities need stable revenue streams to provide essential services such as public safety, infrastructure, and environmental protection to our growing population. Emergency Responsiveness diellOpo cities po repo' or Tf ur ur V dduress lirmmrmnor c°t uu tuullr llf dis s ors mnd °thcur ernenr r, uummcim � As a result of recent experiences with devastating wildfires, landslides, and other emergencies, cities need better ways to address emergency management. Examples include greater ability to coordinate response and enhance communication in emergencies, and the authority to ban fireworks sales and use during dangerous conditions. uum , 00,00000000 IIII III I1011SII CliIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII l��l�� a .... AI 000000ar00000000000000000 Public Records Sturm" cion hcmn the Public IIII'° m c rds Act li oresIlp' uu , ooechn y Ind burdens urr>mc re uut�c °t uests Cities support open and transparent government and continue to seek the best ways to meet this commitment. Unfortunately, there are a growing number of requestors who monopolize resources with broad, voluminous, commercially - driven, or retaliatory requests that do not provide a public benefit proportionate to the taxpayer dollars needed to fulfill these requests. Cities need additional tools to resolve conflicts outside the courtroom and the authority to charge a reasonable fee for electronic and commercial requests. We also need to address the impact changing technology has on public records. Human Services, Homelessness and Affordable Housing Enn, once the Ipoo or visw out If Inn uuuch °needed IOhuuuurmro out service Ipoo' r,ur In °t F dduress issues °th °t drive lirmmmcm'c sed Il°m nheless'css old pooubIllic a 'c°ty c F ° Cities believe that investment in the state's human services network is necessary. Greater access to mental health and substance abuse services is essential. Cities throughout the state are grappling with affordable housing shortages and homelessness. Together with the state, counties, and other partners, we need to develop strategies to address housing shortages and homelessness in cities of all sizes and locations. Association of Washington Cities - 1076 Franklin St SE, Olympia, WA 98501 - 1.800.562.8981 - awcnet.org 10/2115