Click here to skip to main content.
scenic picture from Washington state
MRSC FOCUS › Focus - February 2002
 

Note: Some of the information on this archival Web page may no longer be current.

Focus - February 2002

New Web Pages - Law Enforcement Services

Our new Law Enforcement Services Web pages provide sample documents, publications, and links relating to police/law enforcement administration, standards and levels of service, personnel, community policing and more. (February 19)

Cities and Counties Must Respond to FCC Audit Letter

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is conducting an audit of the status of all of the Private Land Mobile Radio (PLMR), including public safety, stations. It is very important that you respond to the audit letter sent to your jurisdiction. Failure to do so within the specified timeframe may result in loss of your city's or county's radio license for police, fire and public service. More from The National League of Cities Web site. (February 11)

GSA Increases Federal Mileage Reimbursement Rate

The General Services Administration (GSA) has adopted their final rule (effective January 21, 2002) increasing the federal mileage reimbursement rate (Adobe Acrobat Document38 KB) for use of a privately owned vehicle on official travel from 34.5 to 36.5 cents per mile. (February 11)

2002-2003 Directory of Washington City and Town Officials

We are in the process of preparing the 2002-2003 Directory of Washington City and Town Officials. The directory should be available for distribution in early March. Washington cities and towns will receive copies in the mail. Others may purchase a copy by contacting us in March (pre-payment required) at 206-625-1300. (February 1)

Kitsap County Voters Reject Home Rule Charter

On February 5, Kitsap County voters rejected (the unofficial final election results are 55% rejected and 45% approved) a proposed home rule charter providing for a five-member non-partisan council and an elected county executive. Currently, of the 39 counties in Washington State, five - King, Snohomish, Pierce, Whatcom and Clallam - have adopted home rule charters. More from Kitsap County's Web site. (February 6)

WUTC Utility Relocation Decision

The Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission (WUTC) issued an Order last month in a proceeding involving several Western Washington cities and Puget Sound Energy. The WUTC Order requires the cities to pay for the undergrounding of utilities relocated in conjunction with road widening projects in commercial areas. The Order should be reviewed by local government officials dealing with relocation and utility easement issues. The WUTC has provided a summary of the Order, and copies in Word and Acrobat formats. (February 1)

Inquiry of the Week

This week's "Inquiry of the Week":

If a firefighter is called into military service and returns in one year, does he go back to the job he left or to the job he likely would have been at?

[Previous inquiries of the week]

New - Searchable RFP Database

We've added a new searchable Request for Proposals (RFP) database containing the full text of sample RFPs received by MRSC from Washington cities, towns and counties. Our Sample Documents - RFPs page allows you to search for RFPs using keywords or browse RFPs by jurisdiction. (February 1)

New Web Page - 2002 GMA Updates

Our new 2002 Growth Management Act Updates page includes links to documents on updating plans, critical areas and best available science requirements as well as sample scopes of work for plan updates. (February 1)

Citizen's Guide to State Budget

A Citizen's Guide to the Washington State Budget, published by the Washington State Senate Ways and Means Committee, offers a clear and simple overview of the state budget and state revenues. (February 1)

Report on Public Health Emergency Preparedness

The Washington State Board of Health recently released its report on "Response Capacity During A Health Emergency--A Review of Selected Issues." The report examines the role and readiness of the Washington state and local public health care systems in responding to potential bioterrorism attacks. (February 1)

FEMA Mitigation Grants - Round Two

The state Emergency Management Division (EMD) recently announced a sEcond round of federal grants to fund projects that reduce or eliminate the effects of hazards or vulnerability to future disaster damage. Letters of intent must be received by EMD no later than February 15. More ... (February 1)

NACo Achievement Awards Program

One of the National Association of Counties' (NACo) most popular programs is back for its 33rd year. The Achievement Awards seek to recognize outstanding and unique programs initiated by county leaders to more effectively govern their citizens. The deadline for applications is February 15. More ... (February 1)

Washington Place Names Database

Ever wonder how Pe Ell got its name? The searchable Washington Place Names database provided by the Tacoma Public Library has the answer. (February 1)

GASB 34 Training on Infrastructure Reporting

Sponsored by Washington Finance Officers Association, this training will focus on implementing the new infrastructure reporting requirements of GASB 34. The course is structured for both public works and finance directors. Workshop dates and locations:

  • Monday, January 7 - Vancouver
  • Friday, January 18 - Marysville
  • Friday, February 22 - Richland
  • Wednesday, March 6 - Wenatchee

Get more information on GASB 34 Training on Infrastructure Reporting and the online WFOA class registration form. (January 1)

Web Sightings - Critical Areas and Best Available Science

The Growth Management Act requires all cities and counties in Washington to adopt critical areas policies and regulations. By September 2002, all jurisdictions must review their critical areas ordinances and incorporate best available science in their regulations. Here are some links on critical areas and best available science:

(February 1)

Washington City/County History Quiz

The earliest inhabitants of this area were the Indians who made their homes along the Black and Duwamish Rivers. They named it for the forests of hazelnut trees that ringed the area. The first European settlers began arriving in the mid-1800's to farm the rich soil of the river valley. In the 1860's, long flat-bottomed riverboats were used to travel the Duwamish and Black Rivers to Seattle and back carrying coal, produce, livestock, and people. The journey took two days by boat. The city adopted the Indian name when it incorporated in 1908. Its location at the crossroads of several rivers, trails, highways and railroads shaped its destiny as a center of commerce. What city is it? And the answer is ~drum roll~ ... (February 1)

Selected New MRSC Library Materials

Browse through a selected list of new MRSC Library materials (listed by subject). The list includes new library books, videos, articles, government publications, and more.

Get MRSC Web Site Updates and Quarterly Newsletter by E-mail

You can get a monthly e-mail notifying you of selected updates to MRSC's Web site along with an electronic copy of our quarterly newsletter, by subscribing to the mrscnews mailing list. Send a message to mrscnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. In the body of your message, type: subscribe [your name]. If you have any questions about subscribing, please contact listadmin@mrsc.org.

Unlike most listservs, mrscnews is not a discussion list to which all subscribers may post messages, but a free subscription to a monthly notice updating you on major changes and additions to the MRSC Web site, and an electronic copy of our quarterly newsletter.