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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2008-01-22 Item 4B - Council - 2008 Legislative Priorities COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS l y 1// Imttals ITENo. P14, (ly 19: tbleetinq Date Prepared t„ I Mayor's review I C ouncd review at/ o 1 1 i- us% 01/22/08 I KAM Ui Isoa I I I 1 4 ITEM INFORMATION CAS NUMBER: 08-003 ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: JANUARY 22, 2008 AGENDA ITEM TITLE Discussion of Legislative Priorities for 2008 CATEGORY Dircwssion Motion Resolution Ordinance Bid _Award n Public Heannd Other Mtg Date 01 /22 /08 hltg Date •1ltg Date Mtg Date lltg Date illtg Date IItg Date SPONSOR Council Major 1 Adnt Svcs I I DCD n Finance n Fire Ledal P &R Police P1V SPONSOR'S Due to the State Legislature's current short 60 -day session, staff would like to propose SUMMARY carrying over items on the 2007 Legislative Agenda to 2008. Three new priorities for 2008 will also be discussed. REVIEWED BY COW Mtg. CA&P Cmte n F &S Cmte I 1 Transportation Cmte Utilities Cmte Arts Comm. Parks Comm. 1 1 Planning Comm. DA 1'E: RECO MMENDATIONS: SPONSOR /ADMIN. Council President COMMITTEE COST IMPACT FUND SOURCE EXPENDITURE_ REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED Fund Source: Comments: 1 MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS 01/22/08 Memo from K. Matej dated 01/16/08, with attachments City of Tukwila f9' City Council 79 °8. MEMORANDUM TO: Tukwila City Council FROM: Kimberly Matej, Council Legislative Analyst CC: Mayor Haggerton, Rhonda Berry, City Administrator DATE: January 16, 2008 SUBJECT: Legislative Agenda for 2008 Session The State Legislature began a short 60 -day session on Monday. This is the second year of the Legislature's biennium legislative cycle. This short session coupled with an attempt to save money in the budget has resulted in low expectations for significant budget changes as well as new legislation proposals. In consideration of these factors, it appears as if it is in the City's best interest to continuing working with the priorities set forth in the 2007 Legislative Agenda that Council passed by resolution last year. In working closely with the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) and Jamie Durkan, our Olympia lobbyist, I would recommend we focus the City's legislative agenda on issues that are expected to be discussed further in the current session in addition to any other issues that AWC has determined to be priority, if those issues parallel City concerns. For your review, I have summarized issues continued issues from 2007 below, and new priorities follow. Maior/Too Priorities Continued from 2007 Session Municipal Finance and Economic Development ISSUE APPLICABLE BILLS 1 COMMENTS LEOFF I Medical and Long- Currently, no bill in Senate or Continue to seek legislation that provides Term Care Costs House. financial assistance for cities in paying for these liabilities SUPPORT Property Tax HB 1155 Acknowledge 1% cap, but continue to work Reintroduced on 01/14/08 with legislature to make improvements. Advance legislation that establishes a cap tied HB 1170 to the Implicit Price Deflator or 1%, whichever Reintroduced on 01/14/08 is greater. SUPPORT Transportation and Infrastructure ISSUE 1 APPLICABLE BILLS COMMENTS 1 Infrastructure Funding: HB 1361 Bill dedicates existing revenue to Increase Existing Grant and Reintroduced on 01/14/08 infrastructure funding. Loan Programs SUPPORT Community Economic HB 1790 Both bills Concern funding for jobs, economic Revitalization Board (CERB) Reintroduced on 01/14/08 development, and local capital projects. and Job Development Fund SB 5762 Public hearing in Senate SUPPORT Committee on 01/18/08 2008 Council Legislative Priorities page 2 New Priorities Government Operations ISSUE APPLICABLE LEGISLATION 1 COMMENTS Annexation and City/County Advocate for changes to annexation statues Governance Transition that will better facilitate annexations, and better coordinate boundary, finance and governance transition issues. SUPPORT Gang Task Force Support local option tools and funding for use Recommendations: by cities. SUPPORT Other ISSUE 1 APPLICABLE LEGISLATION 1 COMMENTS Taping of Executive Sessions Governor supports legislation if certain `safeguards' are put in place. OPPOSE Although AWC has other priority issues for the current legislative session, the majority of issues carry over from the 2007 session and are listed under other priorities in the Council's 2007 Legislative Agenda. For your review, 1 have attached a copy of AWC's 2008 Legislative Priorities and the City's 2007 Legislative Agenda and accompanying resolution. A 111P e g A V e SSOCIATION 1 S OF B U L L E T 1 N Volume 31, No. 1 January 1 1, 2008 From the Director Legislature to Convene Low Expectations On Monday, January 14, the Legislature On January 2,AWC President Rich noted support for the legislation as long will begin the short 60 -day session. Munson,AWC Vice President Karen as the measure includes the appropriate This is the second year of the biennium Rogers and 1 met with the Governor safeguards. We will continue to "work" and most believe the Legislature will Gregoire to discuss the followingAWC the issue. conclude its business in the allotted 60 Policy priorities: This Bulletin lists AWC's legislative days if not even a bit earlier.We have Infrastructure Funding priorities for the upcoming session. heard from the Governor and many Housing Please take a minute to review these legislators not to expect significant Public Safety (including gangs, sex priorities and contact your legislators changes to the budget.They will tweak offenders, and support for law as appropriate.As indicated above, the 2007 -09 budget but attempt to save expectations are low for this session. enforcement) as much money as possible for the next Regardless we will advance these biennium's budget given the predictions Financing Challenges for Cities priorities with the understanding that for a cooling of the economy. Major new many of these issues will take a number The meeting was very positive.While policy initiatives are also not likely given we don't expect quick fixes to any of of years to resolve. the short session, a desire to save money the issues outlined above, the Governor As a reminder, we will begin production and the upcoming elections. understands our issues and wants to of our weekly Legislative Bulletin on The Governor has prepared and work with us seeking solutions.We also January 18. Look for updates on our presented her supplemental budget discussed with the Governor legislation 2008 legislative priorities in our weekly She focuses on maintaining the state's the State Attorney General is advancing Bulletin or on our website at www. strong fiscal health, public safety, housing, requiring the taping of executive sessions. awcnetorg.We will include bill numbers ferries, and storm recovery. Other AWC is very concerned with the for these priority issues as they become issues expected to be addressed include: impacts of this proposal.The Governor available. transportation and the 520 bridge, family indicated sensitivity to our concerns but leave, and sex offenders. AWC's City Legislative Action Conference Join city officials from throughout the AWC Climate Change Policy Brief state in Olympia January 30 -31. CLAC Recognizing the increasing importance of climate change and sustainability issues is your chance to help move the city for Washington's cities and the state,AWC's recently convened Climate Change agenda forward. Task Force recommended development of a policy brief to identify activities of Learn how your city can more cities in response to climate change and articulate city recommendations for effectively develop a legislative agenda; addressing and mitigating climate change.The policy brief, along with its executive Learn about legislative leadership's summary can be found at www.awcnetorg /climatechange. priorities for '08; Meet with your legislators to advance the city agenda; and more. Register today at www.awcnetorg /legconf. 1 6 u e 46 360- 753 -4137 1 800 562 8981 Fax 360 753 0149 www.awcnet`org AWC 2008 Legislative Priorities Cities are the backbone of our state, a growing number of mandates that our communities.That is why the AWC providing the services that create quality require local governments to meet Board adopted legislative priorities for of life for the majority of our state's more stringent regulations. the 2008 session calling for flexible citizens: police and fire protection, clean solutions that allow cities of all sizes Maintenance for roads, bridges, parks, drinking water, sewer systems, sidewalks, sewers and water systems can only be to meet the needs of their citizens street lights and safe streets and bridges and continue to provide the economic delayed so long before long -term costs parks and open space, Iibraries.The activity that serves as the basis for a skyrocket.At a time when our cities fundamental services our cities provide need to be investing to promote greater strong statewide economy. are also the building blocks upon which economic development for the future, The 6 major legislative priorities that a strong state economy is constructed. many are forced to just plug the short- will be presented to the Legislature will During the past several decades, more term gaps and focus every available focus on: of the responsibility for providing dollar needed immediately to fund Promoting city fiscal health and essential services such as street critical services. flexibility, operation and maintenance, sewer Cities have risen to meet these and water services, and public safety Maintaining and developing quality services has fallen to local governments. challenges head -on ensuring efficient infrastructure for safety and and effective use of resources and Cities have witnessed a decline in the development; and level of shared responsibility between finding new options to fund services federal, state and city governments. Phis and capital investments. City officials Providing for flexible general recognize that there is no one -size- government operations shift in responsibility has also included fits -all solution to the challenges facing Promote City Fiscal Maintain and Develop Provide for Flexible General Health and Flexibility Quality Infrastructure for Government Operations Cities need broad discretion in using Safety a Developme it's vital that cities have the flexibility existing revenue sources to respond to k is in the state's interest to help and local decision making authority local challenges. It's critical that cities cities develop and maintain a strong to make the right decisions for their and towns also have the authority to infrastructure system that ensures citizens. Cities must be able to develop look for new and innovative strategies public safety and promotes economic service delivery tools in a way that's and resources. development that provides the state and cost effective, efficient and flexible and Major Priority: cities needed revenues.As public works free from unwarranted restraint. become more complex, cities need LEOFF I Medical and Long- Major Priority: more management flexibility. Term Care Costs: Seek legislation Annexation and City /County that provides financial assistance for Major Priority: Governance Transition:Advocate cities in paying for these liabilities. Infrastructure Funding for changes to annexation statutes Increase Existing Grant and that will better facilitate annexations, PropertyTax:While we Loan Pro rams: Seek increased acknowledge that the Legislature g and explore legislative ideas to re- instated the I% cap on property funding for infrastructure and encourage cities and counties to economic development programs. better coordinate boundary, finance taxes, we will continue to work with them to make improvements to the Community Economic and governance transition issues. property tax system that benefits Revitalization Board (CERB) Gang Task Force cities. and job Development Fund: Seek Recommendations:AWC will permanent funding for the CERB and support local option tools and the Job Development Fund. funding for use by cities. AWC Legislative Bulletin Copyright 2007 Association of Washington Cities. All rights reserved. continued 2 Other Priority Issues for the 2008 Legislative Session In addition to the six major priorities, Increase Local Funding Options Balancing Environmental the AWC Board also adopted 17 for Public Safety: Seek passage of Protection, Economic additional legislative priorities for 2008. legislation providing additional local Development and Protection REET: Seek legislation that provides funding options for public safety of Property Rights: Continue greater flexibility for REET by purposes, including jail construction. to support efforts to provide expanding the uses of the second Financial Assistance for Cities greater deference to cities to quarter REET to match the first and Towns with an Insufficient determine how best to balance quarter. Tax Base: Explore options to protection of property rights, expand financial assistance as local environmental resources and Housing Affordability: Seek economic development, including opportunities are presented. passage of legislation addressing potential clarification on how to find, housing affordability through Municipal Phase 1I Stormwater consider and apply Best Available infrastructure funding and new fiscal Permit: Oppose new conditions that Science.Also engage is consideration incentives; oppose new mandates exceed Federal minimum standards, of city eminent domain authorities or pre emptive zoning legislation; advocate for funding assistance to to help insure appropriate existing oppose elimination of impact fee help cities implement the permit, and community redevelopment tools are authorities unless replaced with consider legal /legislative remedies. maintained. something that provides equal or Public Health Financin Pursue g: Land Use /Gambling: Defend cities' more revenue. legislation that increases funding for ability to fully ban gambling and Local Solutions to Climate local health jurisdictions (LHJs) while seek legislation that provides cities Change: Support proposals that working to ensure cities are not the ability to zone or partially ban provide cities with additional flexible mandated to fund LHJs. gambling facilities. tools to continue creating sustainable Puget Sound Clean -Up: Stay Outdoor Burning in Small communities; engage in discussions actively engaged in development of Cities /Towns: Seek relief for cities about the most effective means to the Puget Sound Partnership's Action under 5,000 in population from the meet Greenhouse Gas Emission Agenda and advance proposals that January 1, 2007 deadline banning goals established in 2007; oppose help restore and protect the Sound residential burning. new unfunded mandates and "one while preserving local land use size fits all" solutions to sustainability authority and spending priorities. Expedite Grant and Loan challenges, and; provide outreach and Programs: Pursue /support education to cities. Local Infrastructure Finance legislation to accelerate the approval Tool (LIFT): Continue to message of proposed PWB project lists. Mitigating Medical Costs to legislature to expand LIFT, for Offenders: Seek passage of increase eligibility, and make technical Bid Limit Flexibility: Pursue legislation to remove the 2 -year corrections to this authority. jegislation to increase current city sunset provision in Sec. 66 of bid limits and provide additional SSB 5930; expand the uses of Alternative Public Works flexibility. the extraordinary criminal justice Legislation: Pursue modifications to Design-Build authori eal IOM A complete listing ofAWC's legislative account to include extraordinary authority; repeal priorities, including issues to endorse medical costs for offenders; support floor and broaden definition. and strongly defend against, can be individual city proposals to provide Filling aVacancy in the Office of found at www.awcnet.org /legpriorities. additional funds for offender medical Mayor: Pursue legislation to clarify costs. that incumbent councilmembers in mayor council cities are eligible to be appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor without first having to resign their council seat. AWC Legislative Bulletin January 11, 2008 3 ILA. sti f t y T City of 'Tukwila Washington Resolution No. 6 3 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING A LIST OF LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR USE IN THE 2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. WHEREAS, the Mayor and the City Council have agreed to pursue legislative strategies for 2007; and WHEREAS, a list of priorities clearly defines issues that staff and elected officials may discuss when speaking to members of the Washington State Legislature, and WHEREAS, the City Council agreed to their priorities at the Regular Council Meeting on January 2, 2007; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Attachment A, Top Priorities, 2007 State Legislative Items, is a list of prioritized Legislative issues. The Tukwila City Council has identified these eight top priorities and requests that the 2007 Washington State Legislature take action on the prioritized items listed, which impact our residents and businesses and affect the quality of life for our community. Section 2. Attachment B, Opposed, 2007 Legislative Priorities, is a list of prioritized legislative items which the Council opposes. The Tukwila City Council is requesting that the 2007 Washington State Legislature not mandate, pre -empt, or hinder local control of the issues identified and urges the Legislature to allow cities the ability to manage their resources. Section 3. Attachment C, Other Priorities, 2007 State Legislative Items, is a list of other legislative priorities. The Tukwila City Council supports this list of legislative items and strongly supports action to be taken by the 2007 Washington State Legislature. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL O HE CITY� U� LA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this /6 day of 2007 ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED: l 1 i C Verna Griffin, Council President Jan Cantu, CMC, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Filed with the City Clerk: D 7 Passed by the City Council: /ln D 7 Office of the City Attorney Resolution Number: Attachments: Attachment A, Top Priorities, 2007 State Legislative Items Attachment B, Opposed, 2007 Legislative Priorities Attachment C, Other Priorities, 2007 State Legislative Items C: \Documents and SettinaslAll UscrslDesktop\ Kelly1,b;SDATA\Resolutions\2007 Legislative Priorities.doc City of Tukwila Top Priorities 2007 State Legislative Items Attachment A The Tukwila City Council has identified eight top priorities and requests the 2007 Washington State Legislature take action on the prioritized issues listed below. These prioritized issues impact our residents and businesses and affect the quality of life for our community. Land Use Housing Housing Trust Fund Tukwila supports increasing the Housing Trust Fund. Gambling Tukwila supports legislation that provides cities the ability to zone or partially ban gambling facilities, including "grandfathering," and preserves cities' ability to fully ban gambling. Law Justice Limiting Liability for Local Government Tukwila supports legislation to limit local government liability, including codifying the public duty doctrine, establishing a standard of gross negligence for supervision of offenders, making seatbelt use admissible in a civil action, and providing immunity for volunteer emergency workers. Liability for Fire Department Standards Tukwila supports legislation which provides immunity for fire departments which might arise as a result of recently enacted requirements to establish fire fighter response time goals, to document how often those goals are met, and to indicate the predictable consequence of not meeting the goals. Municipal Finance Economic Development Streamlined Sales Tax Tukwila supports adoption of the agreement by the State with full mitigation to local governments negatively impacted by implementation of destination -based sourcing. Public Health Financing Tukwila supports Legislation that increases funds to local health jurisdictions, while at the same time, working to ensure cities are not mandated to fund local health jurisdictions. Tukwila supports increased funding for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Transportation Infrastructure Grant and Loan Programs Tukwila supports increased funding for infrastructure and economic development programs such as CERB and the Job Development Fund. Tukwila opposes additional Diversions from the Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF). Education Issues WASL Tukwila supports additional flexibility, including alternative assessments, and funding to enable more students to successfully pass the WASL. City of Tukwila Opposed 2007 State Legislative Priorities Attachment B The Tukwila City Council is requesting that the 2007 Washington State Legislature not mandate, pre -empt, or hinder local control of the following issues. These decisions are best made at the local level. These issues impact our residents and businesses and affect the quality of life for our community and we urge you to allow cities the ability to manage their resources. Therefore, we request that you oppose the following legislative items: Energy Telecommunications Statewide Franchise Agreements Tukwila opposes statewide franchise agreements for telecommunications or pre emption of local authority for managing local public rights of way, taxing authority, and the ability to provide telecommunication services. Land Use Housing Local Authority Tukwila opposes new mandates or pre emptive zoning legislation and the elimination of impact fee authorities unless replaced with something that provides equal or more revenue. Law Justice Requiring All Judges to be Elected Tukwila opposes any legislation requiring all municipal court judges, regardless of the number of hours they work, to be elected. Transportation Infrastructure Reject All Bids Legislation Tukwila opposes any legislation that erodes our ability to reject all contracting bids. City of Tukwila Other Priorities 2007 State Legislative Items Attachment C The Tukwila City Council has also identified these other legislative priorities and strongly supports action to be taken by the 2007 Washington State Legislature on these items. Environment Water Municipal Phase 11 Stormwater Permit Tukwila supports funding assistance to help implement the permit (education, staffing, and capital needs) and relief from conditions imposed on already developed property that would hinder redevelopment. Tukwila opposes new conditions that exceed Federal minimum standards. General Local Government Public Disclosure of Parks Department Registration Information Tukwila supports legislation to exempt personal information of children participating in city parks and recreation programs from public disclosure. Six Year Collective Bargaining Tukwila supports legislation to allow local governments and their unions to agree to contract terms of up to six years. Scrap Metal Theft Tukwila supports adding metal, metal junk, or metal property into the statutes governing transactions by second -hand dealers and pawnbrokers when it comes to purchasing metal property. Land Use Housina Tukwila supports affordable housing that helps those in need and supports funding for housing that leverages other funds. Best Available Science Tukwila supports legislation clarifying how to find, consider, and apply Best Available Science (BAS). Housing Affordability Tukwila supports the recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Affordable Housing especially as it addresses housing affordability through infrastructure funding and new fiscal incentives. Homelessness Tukwila supports increased funding for programs and services that address homeless prevention and stabilization. Manufactured Housing Communities Tukwila supports fund relocation assistance for manufactured housing communities. Condominium Conversions Tukwila supports improving tenant protections when apartment buildings are converted to condominiums. City of Tukwila Other Priorities 2 2007 State Legislative Items Law Justice Mitigating Medical Costs for Offenders Tukwila supports legislation to expand the uses of the extraordinary criminal justice account to include extraordinary medical costs for offenders. Funding for Court Interpreters Tukwila supports state assistance for the costs of providing interpreters for court services, with the creation of a registration for non certified languages. Municipal Courts Tukwila supports increased funding and support for the Municipal Court systems. It also opposes any legislation that threatens or adversely impacts the cities' abilities to operate the municipal court system. Municipal Finance Economic Development Tukwila supports measures that provide broad local control, significant flexibility, and sufficient revenues to provide needed services. Local Infrastructure Finance Tool (LIFT) Legislation Tukwila seeks legislation that expands the use of tax increment financing and creates greater flexibility for the city portion of the match. Initiative 747 Regarding Property Tax Caps Tukwila supports legislation that establishes a cap tied to the Implicit Price Deflator (1PD). The IPD has ranged from 1.2% 3.4% during the last five years. Multi- family property tax exemption Tukwila supports legislation that would expand to cities over 5,000 population the property tax exemptions for multi family housing in urban downtown areas. Hotel /Motel tax Tukwila supports flexibility in the uses to which this tax may be applied. It also supports extension in King County of the Lodging Taxes for Culture after 2020. Fees Criminal Background Checks Tukwila supports an exemption for municipalities from the WSP fees for criminal background checks on volunteers and employees. PERS 1 Tukwila supports repealing the gain sharing benefit after one additional gain- sharing disbursement. Tukwila does not support any new benefits until the current benefits are fully funded. LEOFF 1 Medical and Long -Term Care Costs Tukwila requests assistance from the State Actuary to determine its future liability for LEOFF 1 retiree medical and long -term care costs and seeks legislation that provides financial assistance to pay for these liabilities Small Business Development Centers Tukwila supports state funding for Small Business Development Centers. City of Tukwila Other Priorities 3 2007 State Legislative Items Transportation Infrastructure Expand Alternative Public Works Legislation Tukwila supports legislation to expand alternative public works legislation, especially Design -Build and General Contractor- Construction Manager (GC -CM) methods, to include all cities. SR509 Tukwila supports extension and completion of SR -509. Parks Recreation Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) Tukwila supports increasing the funding for WWRP. Mole Trapping Tukwila supports legislation to allow limited trapping of moles to protect public property. Recreational Land Use Immunity Tukwila opposes any changes that would threaten or diminish the immunity of land owners who open their properties to the public for outdoor recreation without charging a fee. Education Issues Washington Learns Tukwila supports the recommendations from Washington Learns and applauds the Governor and Committee for making a good start on addressing important education issues. Supermajority requirement for school levies and bonds Tukwila supports that the legislature provide citizens the opportunity to vote to amend the State Constitution to allow school levies and bonds to be approved by a simple majority rather than the current 60% supermajority requirement.