MRSC FOCUS
› Focus - April 2000
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Focus - April 2000
Inquiry of the Week
[Previous inquiries of the week]
MRSC Welcomes Tim Davis
Tim Davis joined the MRSC library staff in March. He is responsible for maintaining the MRSC Web site, and assists in the support of the computer and information services needs of the MRSC staff. Tim has a graduate degree in mathematics and also teaches math at local community colleges.Right of Way/Telecommunications Bill Signed by Governor
On March 24th Governor Locke signed SSB 6676. This legislation establishes time limitations for the issuance of master permits & use permits, imposes restrictions on moratoriums, and modifies relocation obligations and other right-of-way authority. More...I-695 Ruled Unconstitutional
Judge Robert H. Alsdorf of the King County Superior Court ruled today (3/14/00) that all sections of Initiative 695 are unconstitutional. In his ruling, Judge Alsdorf prohibited (enjoined) enforcement by the state and local governments of section 2 of the initiative, the voter approval requirement. He declined to prohibit operation of section 1, which establishes the $30 motor vehicle license tab fee, and section 3, which repeals the motor vehicle excise tax and numerous other related statutes, citing the disruptive effect that would have before a state supreme court ruling. The judge's decision will, of course, be appealed to the state supreme court, and a decision from that court will not likely be issued until this summer or fall. We recommend contacting your legal counsel for more information on the legal effect of Judge Alsdorf's decision.Thanks for Your Support!
Governor Signs MRC Funding Bill
We want to thank all city and county officials who supported MRSC efforts to replace
the funds that were lost as a result of Initiative 695. Motor vehicle excise tax
funds provided 84 percent of the support for MRSC programs and services. On March
1 the legislature passed legislation to continue funding for the Municipal Research
Council (MRC). Governor Locke signed SSB
6357 on March 30th. Thank you for your support. More
…
Find Out Your Jurisdiction's Census Response Rate
The U.S. Census Bureau is posting initial Census response rates for state, local, and tribal governmental entities. This site will be updated daily, including weekends, beginning March 27, 2000 to April 11, 2000 with a final posting on April 18, 2000. Click on Washington State and each county or city of interest.National County Government Week
"National County Government Week" will be celebrated April 9-15. First held in 1991, the goal of county government week is to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of the nation's counties. The theme for the week is "Honoring Volunteers." Join the celebration and raise public awareness about counties.King County Releases Results of Homeless Child Care Needs Assessment
King County Executive Ron Sims recently released the "Homeless Child Care Needs Assessment," a report that shares the experiences of a diverse group of homeless parents as they struggled to find and maintain quality homeless child care services in King County. The report also offers solutions to help parents break the cycle of homelessness and underscores the critical need for support services, especially child care, in order for families to achieve and maintain stability. More …First Transfer of Development Credits Celebrated
King County recently celebrated the county's first successful transfer of development credits that will preserve rural areas, prevent sprawl and increase densities in cities. The innovative transaction is part of the county's fledgling Transfer of Development Credits program. The public private partnership involves sales of 62 "development rights" from the 313-acres McCormick Forest to Port Blakely, the developer of the Issaquah Highlands inside the city of Issaquah. More …Lakewood's "Weed and Seed" Program
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced that the City of Lakewood has been recognized as an official "Weed and Seed" community. With the designation, comes recognition by the DOJ that will allow Lakewood to leverage Federal resources to combat crime and blight according to Police Chief Larry Saunders. More information is available on Lakewood's Web site.U.S. Supreme Court Rules that Municipalities May Ban Nude Dancing
In a case involving an Erie, Pennsylvania, ordinance that banned all public nudity, the U.S. Supreme Court determined on March 29th that the city's ordinance was a content-neutral restriction that regulates conduct, not First Amendment expression. The court upheld its earlier decision in Barnes v. Glen Theatre, Inc., 501 U.S. 560 (1991), and ruled that cities may prohibit nude dancing when they can show that it has harmful "sEcondary effects" on a community, such as higher crime and lower property values. In terms of demonstrating that sEcondary effects pose a threat to the community, a city is not required "to conduct new studies or produce evidence independent of that already generated by other cities, so long as the evidence relied on is reasonably believed to be relevant to the problem addressed." City of Erie v. Pap's A.M., tdba "Kandyland"Web Sightings - Online Permitting
Many local governments allow you to print forms from the Web for mailing or faxing, and opportunities to submit permits online are increasing. MRSC has a Web page on Government Services on the Web and E-Commerce, which includes links to many electronically-based services.
Here are a few selected sites:
- Indianapolis IndyGov
eGov Center -
This award-winning site provides 24-hour access to information, services, and government officials and includes a variety of online permit forms. - City of Tacoma Public Works
Online Permits Trial -
Offers plumbing, heating and cooling, and combination permits during trial period. - Yakima
County Permit Services Info -
Offers online permits for mechanical, fire and plumbing, as well as information and forms for other permits. Yakima County Services includes permit information, as well as hearing, land use, licenses, law and justice, taxes, elections and more. - Online Permits! -
Provides online applications, electronic permit fee payment, inspection scheduling, and access to public parcel/ownership. Offers a demo: "Online Permits! Houston"