Focus - August 2002

MRSC FOCUS › Focus - August 2002

Focus - September 2002

What's New

Get a quick update on the latest additions to our Web site.

Transportation Funding - Referendum 51 on November Ballot (August 26)

In the 2002 session, the Legislature passed the statewide revenue package (HB 2969) that includes $7.7 billion in highway projects, ferry vessels, transit and rail services, freight mobility projects and other transportation improvements across the state. The statewide transportation package will be presented to voters on the November ballot. For additional information, see the MRSC Referendum 51 page and the AWC Referendum 51 page.

Correction of an Error in Seattle CPI-W for June 2002

A transcription error (read, "bad hand-writing") was made when posting the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton CPI-W information for June 2002 on our CPI Web page. The correct index number is 184.1 and the percentage increase from June 2001 is 1.5 percent. The Web page now displays the correct data. (August 23)

New Web Page on the Election Method of Annexation

MRSC has prepared a special web page on the Election Method of Annexation to respond to the need for information resulting from the invalidation of the petition method. We encourage cities and towns to send to us any documents, particularly those in electronic form, relating to the election method of annexation. (August 21)

We've Moved!

MRSC recently moved from the IBM building in downtown Seattle to a new office building located several blocks north at 4th and Vine. Our new address is:

Municipal Research & Services Center of Washington
2601 Fourth Ave, Ste 800
Seattle, WA 98121-1280

Our phone and fax numbers will be the same:

Phone: (206) 625-1300
Fax: (206) 625-1220

If you're ever "in the neighborhood," (we're just south of the Seattle Center) drop by, and we'll show you around. (August 1)

Free Telecom Seminar for Local Government Officials

The Washington Association of Telecommunications Officials and Advisors (WATOA), the Washington ROW Coalition, Rainier Communications Commission, and the Cities of Mercer Island and University Place have arranged for a free Telecomm Seminar (13kb) from 2 to 5 PM on Wednesday, August 14th at Mercer Island's City Hall. Two nationally known experts on telecom and ROW issues will be speaking. This seminar is for local government attorneys, officials and staff only. To register, contact Tim Sullivan, University Place City Attorney at (206)460-2504 or tsullivan@ci.university-place.wa.us. (August 1)

Budget Suggestions for 2003

Budget Suggestions for 2003 (370 KB), containing information on 2003 legislation; state-shared revenue forecasts; articles on tax increment financing, levy lid lifts, e-mail meetings and public records, performance measures, Initiative 776, and much more, is now on our Web site. (July 18)

New Web Page - Public Health Administration

Our new "Local Government Public Health Administration" Web page has information on public health funding, improvement plans, local health boards and officers, health districts and links to public health-related organizations and agencies. (August 1)

Is There an Interstate Pipeline Near You?

Do you have an interstate pipeline running through your city or county? According to the Utilities and Transportation Commission and the Office of Pipeline Safety, 27 counties and 114 cities in Washington have interstate pipelines either within their boundaries or, in the case of cities, within one mile of their city limits. For more on this topic, see our "Pipeline Safety" page. (August 1)

Snohomish County to Use Touch Screen Voting Machines

Beginning with the primary election on September 17, 2002, voters in Snohomish County will be the first in Washington to use touch screen technology to cast their vote. Sequoia Voting Systems EDGE voting devices will be used at all the polling places. More from Snohomish County's Web site. (August 1)

Bellevue Goes Wireless

The city of Bellevue recently launched a wireless initiative that will allow employees to connect to mission-critical applications, the city's intranet and e-mail from the field. More from Government Technology's Web site. (August 1)

Affordable Housing Assistance Now Available from NACo

NACo has been awarded a technical assistance grant from the National Affordable Housing Training Institute (NAHTI) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help counties develop programs and improve services in the area of affordable housing. More from NACo's Web site. (August 1)

State Supreme Court Invalidates Open Space Requirement

In a July 11 decision (Isla Verde International Holdings, Inc. v. City of Camas), the state supreme court invalidated a Camas requirement that subdivisions must retain 30 percent of their area as open space. The court held that the city's open space provision violates a statutory requirement of an individualized determination that a development condition, such as the open space requirement, is necessary to mitigate an impact of the particular development. (July 12)

NACA Launches Web Site

The National Association of County Administrators (NACA) recently launched their new Web site offering members an opportunity to post and discuss news and ideas through an innovative idea exchange module and information relating to professional county government management. (August 1)

Making the Most of IT Support Services

When local government officials are choosing software vendors, they should consider the range of support services the vendors offer in addition to the features of the software. More from American City & County. (August 1)

Inquiry of the Week

This week's "Inquiry of the Week":

Request for information on density bonuses.

[Previous inquiries of the week]

Web Sightings - Preserving Agricultural Lands

Washington's Growth Management Act requires cities and counties in Washington to designate agricultural lands of long-term significance. Cities and counties with urban growth areas are required to adopt a program authorizing transfer or purchase of development rights from designated agricultural lands within UGAs. Here are some useful links on preserving farmlands:

(August 1)

Washington City/County History Quiz

The Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 brought thousands of people to the area which was a major jumping-off point for those headed for the gold fields. After the Gold Rush, many of the people who had passed through on their way to Alaska returned to stay. The Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition in 1909 gave the county nationwide exposure and brought new business interests and new generation of people looking for opportunities and adventure. This county will celebrate 150 years of service when it reaches its Sesquicentennial on December 22, 2002. What county is it? And the answer is ~drum roll~ ... (August 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.