Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2014-01-13 Item 4B - Resolution - 2014 Legislative PrioritiesCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS Initia/s Meetin,gDate Prepared by Ma or's review Council review 01/13/14 KAM AOM /14 01/21/14 KAM ID Bid Award Mtg Date E Public Hearing Mtg Date Eil Other Mtg Date CATEGORY Ab, Discussion rA Resolution Mtg Date Mtg Date 01/21/14 El HR LJ Finance "'Fire E IT II] P&R Police Li PW SPONSOR • Council Mayor ITEM INFORMATION ITEM No. 4.B. 23 STAFF SPONSOR: KIMBERLY MATE] ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 01/13/14 AGENDA ITEM TITLE Draft Resolution for Council's 2014 State Legislative Priorities 01/13/14 Lil Motion Mtg Date El Ordinance Mtg Date ID Bid Award Mtg Date E Public Hearing Mtg Date Eil Other Mtg Date CATEGORY Ab, Discussion rA Resolution Mtg Date Mtg Date 01/21/14 El HR LJ Finance "'Fire E IT II] P&R Police Li PW SPONSOR • Council Mayor • DCD SPONSOR'S Staff has prepared a DRAFT 2014 Legislative Agenda/Priorities for Council consideration. SUMMARY The agenda is intended to be utilized as a tool for Councilmembers when they meet with state legislators in Olympia in January. The Council is being asked to adopt a Resolution that identifies the agreed upon priorities. REVIEWED BY r] COW Mtg. E Utilities Cmte DATE: N/A 1 CA&P Cmte 0 F&S Cmte LI Transportation Cmte E Parks Comm. Eil Planning Comm. COMMITTEE CHAIR: Ell Arts Comm RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR/ADMIN. COMMITTEE Mayor COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED $ $ $ Fund Source: Comments: MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 01/13/14 01/21/14 MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS 01/13/14 Informational Memorandum dated 01/08/14 AWC list of 2014 Legislative Priorities City of Tukwila 2013 Legislative Priorities - State Issues Draft Resolution (Attachment A to be provided at 01/21/14 Regular Meeting) 23 24 City of Tukwila a MEMORANDUM JimA m/� � ^^��� � o,00aymr TO: Tukwila City Council FROM: Kimberly Matej, Government Relation Manager CC: Mayor Haggerton David Cline, City Administrator DATE: January 8, 2014 SUBJECT: Legis!ative Agenda!Priorities for 2014 Session — Short Session The State Legislature will begin a 60-day short session on Monday, January 13, 2014. This is the second year of the Legislature's biennium legislative cycle, and it is anticipated this will be another financially challenging year for the State of Washington as economic growth remains slow. Governor Ins lee released his proposed supplemental budget tothe State's 2013-15 Operating Budget on December 17. His proposal is modest and minimal, and he anticipates that it will put the State in a better position to address significant fiscal challenges expected in the 2015-17 biennium. Funding education per the McCleary mandate continues to have a significant impact on the State's budget, combined with a current budget which has relied heavily on one-time fixes, unspecified reductions and assumed savings. 2013 Session Wrap: Public Works Trust Fund and Transportation Funding Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF). As the result of a court mandate to fund education, the 2013 Legislature made major changes to the State's infrastructure funding system by diverting all available monies plus a m jOhtvOfthe[eV8DU8GtFe8DlSth81fUDdthePVVTF(fO[OO@||VD8Dledth8PUb|iCVVO[ks Assistance Account). All of the public utility tax and solid waste tax as well as two-thirds of the real estate excise tax that had been directed to the PWTF was redirected to the Education Legacy Account. In addition the $277 million balance in the PWTF was immediately transferred. The City lost $9.6M in funding for four projects in this fund diversion. Transportation Funding. Despite ongoing conversations and countless meetings, there was no transportation package passed last session, and early reports suggest that the same will remain true for the 2014 session. Some of the core issues lacking agreement concern what funding types and amounts should be included in a transportation package as well as where sales tax should be directed. The Legislative Agenda As with most legislative ageOd8S, it is important to note that usually a city will choose items for highlighting to local representatives (i.e.: priorities); however, that does not preclude the City from ouppOrting, oppoaing, monitoring issues or directly contacting legislators regarding additional items not specifically highlighted on the published legislative agenda. For example, City departments will often advocate for the Council to support or oppose specific items, and in response to these the Council is able to meet directly with the appropriate state representatives regarding such issues. Recommended legislative priorities to focus on during the legislative session are outlined below for your review and discussion. These are Iargely carry-over priorities from the 2013 session given the two-year cycle of the legislature. The order in which items are listed does not reflect the importance of any item. After Council discussion, staff will provide a 2014 L ' /atime^4{7enda—St8&9/GGu8GiOfiO8| form for review at the January 21 Regular Council Meeting. 2014 Council Legislative Priorities page 2 City Fiscal Health & State Shared Revenues SUPPORT: Restoration of the Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF) The City of Tukwila lost $9.6 million in loans last year due to the legislature diverting 100% of the PWTF construction loan monies in an attempt to balance the budget. As a result, infrastructure spending will be reduced now and in the future. Infrastructure projects create and sustain jobs and the PWTF is a crucial source of state funding for local infrastructure. SUPPORT: Maintaining Streamlined Sales Tax (SST) Mitigation Payments Ensure that state monies committed for streamlined sales tax mitigation continue to remain dedicated to that source and are not utilized or reduced to balance the state budget. Cities have already suffered from reduced SST payments from the state. Any legislation making this reduction permanent will be considered harmful to the City as we struggle to fund basic services. SUPPORT: Reinstatement of Local Share of Liquor Revenues Historically, liquor revenues have been shared between the state and local governments. In order to address funding issues relating to public safety and other local impacts as a result of the passage of Initiative 1183, the state needs to restore the growth in liquor sharing profits which is distributed to local governments. General Government Operations SUPPORT: Tools for Addressing Burdensome Public Records Requests to Cities Tukwila is committed to transparency in government as well as pro- actively providing access to public records; however, our ability to do so is hampered by those who abuse the law to harass local government or for monetary gain. The City supports legislation that provides tools for addressing such public records requestors who are abusive and harassing. This could include injunctions and dedicated resource thresholds. Transportation & Infrastructure SUPPORT: State & Local Transportation Funding The 2013 legislative session did not result in any transportation revenue package. Without a transportation package, the economic vitality of cities is at substantial risk. Transportation legislation should increase the flexibility of the use of existing revenues and implement new revenues for use in expansion, maintenance and repair of transportation mechanisms. State revenue proposals should contain a significant share of funding to assist cities while providing for new local options. Law, Justice & Public Safety SUPPORT: Tools for Combating Gang Activity The City of Tukwila has firsthand experience with the results of gang activity within the community. As such, we are interested in ongoing collaboration of activities and funding that provides tools to address gang prevention and intervention, as well as civil and criminal ways to address gang activity. City Responsibilities Concerning Regulation of Marijuana The state legalization of marijuana has created a number of complex issues for local governments relative to how these businesses will operate in accordance with applicable local regulations. We encourage the state to support and acknowledge cities that have designated zoning regulations that pertain to marijuana businesses. Currently, no funding from the taxation of marijuana has been directed to local jurisdictions who will sustain the majority of impacts resulting from legalization. Additionally, there is still a need for reconciliation between medical and recreational marijuana in order to meet the mandates of the tightly - regulated federal system. 26 2014 Council Legislative Priorities page 3 Unfunded Mandates & Transferring Responsibilities Over the past several years, local municipalities have been burdened with the transfer of responsibilities from the state as well as the addition of new regulations (unfunded and underfunded). Cities have been struggling financially to simultaneously streamline and maintain services in the midst of budget cuts and the taking of shared revenues. Stopping this problematic cycle is essential to the efficient functioning and financial sustainability of local governments. Continued Funding for Human Services Especially during turbulent economic times, the City of Tukwila recognizes and is committed to continue funding of human services programs. In consideration of this local commitment, we encourage our State legislators to maintain human services funding recognizing the need of these vital services throughout our local communities. Programs addressing the needs of vulnerable individuals and families include but are not limited to: mental health, basic health, affordable childcare, hunger relief, housing and homelessness, and substance abuse. For your review, a copy of AWC's 2014 Legislative Priorities is attached. 27 28 it SSOCIATION F WASHINGTON iTiES The key to a great state is strong cities throughout Washington. Our 281 cities are the state's economic engines and where most of the population lives, works, shops and plays. In 2014, legislators can protect the heart of a great state by acting as follows: Restore local liquor revenue sharing — there is a long history of local /state liquor revenue sharing, a partnership dating 70+ years which has been severely undermined in recent sessions.The Legislature must pass legislation restoring the growth in profits that expanding cities need to fund public safety and other local impacts. Fund and clarify new city responsibilities from marijuana — the new marijuana industry is subject to up to a 75% state excise tax, but none of that funding is directed to local jurisdictions to address public safety needs and other complex local impacts.And, reconciliation must occur between medical and recreational marijuana to meet the federal mandate for a tightly - regulated system. Fund transportation needs, including providing new local transportation options — transportation is critical for our economic vitality so cities must have the resources to maintain and strengthen both local and state transportation systems. Stop raiding infrastructure funds — our infrastructure is aging and cities can't keep up with increasing demands. If we are going to keep Washington moving forward, we need the Public Works Trust Fund and other infrastructure programs to remain intact, which will allow for planned and sustained investments in communities. lomix 0 our k ustice, personnel, pensions, lic records, social services iceb @awcnet.org ictoria Lincoln nergy, general government perations, municipal finance, tate budget, telecommunications ictorial @awcnet.org contact io arl Schroeder nvironment, housing, land arts @awcnet.org Alison Hellberg Economic development, infrastructure, transportation alisonh @awcnet.org Association of Washington Cities • 1076 Franklin St SE, Olympia,WA 98501 • awcnet.org 29 City of Tukwila 2013 Legislative Priorities • State Issues During the first year of the Washington State Legislature's 2013 -14 biennium legislative cycle, the City of Tukwila will focus on the following legislative priorities: City Fiscal Health & State Shared Revenues SUPPORT: Maintaining Streamlined Sales Tax Mitigation Payments Ensure that state monies committed for streamlined sales tax mitigation continue to remain dedicated to that source and are not utilized or reduced to balance the state budget. Cities have already suffered from reduced SST payments from the state. Any legislation making this reduction permanent will be considered harmful to the City as we struggle to fund basic services. SUPPORT: Reinstatement Local Share of Liquor Revenues Restoring both the $10 million in liquor taxes to cities that was taken last legislative session to help balance the state budget and the pre- initiative liquor profit sharing system will stop the loss of additional funding for public safety that was approved by Initiative 1183 as well as the loss of growth from liquor revenues going forward. OPPOSE: Reductions to the Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF) Currently, the City of Tukwila has four (4) projects on the Public Works Board Recommended 2014 Construction Loan List with a loan request of $9.6 million and a total projects cost of $28.4 million. Diverting funds from this revolving LOAN program will reduce infrastructure spending now, and in the future as the loan repayment stream is diminished. Infrastructure projects create and sustain jobs and the PWTF is a crucial source of state funding for local infrastructure. General Government Operations SUPPORT: Tools for Addressing Burdensome Public Records Requests to Cities Tukwila is committed to transparency in government as well as pro- actively providing access to public records; however, our ability to do so is hampered by those who abuse the law to harass local government or for monetary gain. The City supports legislation that provides tools for addressing such public records requestors who are abusive and harassing. This could include injunctions and dedicated resource thresholds. Transportation & Infrastructure SUPPORT: State & Local Transportation Funding — Preserve and Enhance Support legislation which increases flexibility of use of existing revenues and implements new revenues for use in expansion, maintenance and repair of transportation mechanisms; including such items as street utility capability for cities and counties. This includes street maintenance, stormwater, local transportation and public works assistance such as fully funding the PWTF. State revenue proposals should contain a significant share of funding to assist cities while providing for new local options. Law, Justice & Public Safety OPPOSE: Required Election of Municipal Court Judges & Regionalization of Courts The City opposes any legislation requiring the election of municipal court judges or regionalization of courts. Appointed judges and municipal courts provide cities with flexible options for efficient court operations, cost effective measures, and accessibility to the community. SUPPORT: Tools for Combating Gang Activity The City of Tukwila has firsthand experience with the results of gang activity within the community. As such, we are interested in ongoing collaboration of activities and funding that provides tools to address gang prevention and intervention, as well as civil and criminal ways to address gang activity. Continued Funding for Human Services Especially during turbulent economic times, the City of Tukwila recognizes and is committed to continue funding of human services programs. In consideration of this local commitment, we encourage our State legislators to maintain human services funding recognizing the need of these vital services throughout our local communities. Programs addressing the needs of vulnerable individuals and families include but are not limited to: mental health, basic health, affordable childcare, hunger relief housing and homelessness, and substance abuse. Unfunded Mandates & Transferring Responsibilities Over the past several years, local municipalities have been burdened with the transfer of responsibilities from the state as well as the addition of new regulations (unfunded and underfunded). Cities have been struggling financially to simultaneously streamline and maintain services in the midst of budget cuts and the taking of shared revenues. Stopping this problematic cycle is essential to the efficient functioning and financial sustainability of local governments. 30 DRAFT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR USE DURING THE 2014 WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. WHEREAS, the City Council has agreed to pursue certain legislative issues for 2014; and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes this agenda is not all encompassing, in that certain additional items may arise during the legislative session that require support or opposition; and WHEREAS, a legislative agenda outlines the priority issues that elected officials may discuss when speaking to members of the Washington State Legislature; and WHEREAS, the City Council agreed to these priorities at the Regular City Council Meeting on January 21, 2014; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: The Tukwila City Council has identified priorities for the 2014 Washington State Legislative Session that are integral to serving the Tukwila community in the manner in which the residents and businesses have come to expect. The City of Tukwila 2014 Legislative Agenda is hereby incorporated by reference as Attachment A. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2014. ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED: Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk De'Sean Quinn, Council President APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Filed with the City Clerk: Passed by the City Council: Resolution Number: Shelley M. Kerslake, City Attorney Attachment A: City of Tukwila 2014 Legislative Agenda W: \Word Processing \Resolutions \Legislative Agenda for 2014 1 -8 -14 KM:bjs Page 1 of 1 31