Heads Up - Emerging Information for Local Government
By Lynne De Merritt, MRSC Senior Research Consultant
MRSC News, September 1999
Intergovernmental Cooperation in Washington
With the guiding motto of "providing a cost efficient result to the community by sharing services and facilities," 27 government agencies in southwest Washington are cooperating in the areas of grounds, equipment, and maintenance. GEM is a regional network of public agency employees who meet regularly to exchange successes, concepts, and general information to promote efficiency in government. Its acronym, GEM, represents the maintenance and operation of Grounds (& Buildings), Equipment (Fleet Management), and Maintenance (all street/utility activities). The agencies include the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Washington State Patrol, and cities, counties, school districts, water/sewer districts, and fire districts in the area. For further information, see GEM's Internet site www.tntwebcraft.com/gem/.
Fostering Downtown Development
Tacoma has launched an innovative program providing information about downtown commercial properties available for sale or lease. The Web site, www.TacomaSpace.com, is in partnership with the Local Development Council, which manages the downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA), and the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County. Similar to a residential real estate multiple listing service, the city is providing a free platform for these groups to get together and sell downtown Tacoma.
Area brokers and property owners provide accurate information about properties in Tacoma's (BIA), an 84-block region in downtown Tacoma. The city uses this data for the Web site, which provides information on vacancies, available space, lease payments, zoning, parking, and tax incentives. It also can display interior and exterior images of many of the properties. Thea Foss Waterway properties, a three-mile waterfront area adjacent to downtown, recently were added to the site. Future plans include adding the city's neighborhood business districts.
The site also provides links so businesses can analyze competition, learn about tax assessments, and access other important business information. Tacoma Press Release June 18, 1999
Hometown - Home Loan Incentive
Auburn and Seattle, in cooperation with a local bank, are sponsoring a home loan incentive program for city employees. To qualify, Seattle employees must live within the Seattle city limits, while Auburn employees must live within the boundaries of the Auburn School District. The program provides a reduction in loan fees by 50 percent, and discounts other costs, such as home inspections, appraisals, and escrow fees. A typical home buyer may save $1,000 to $1,500 or more on closing fees. The program was developed by the city of Seattle in partnership with Continental Bank. The city was seeking an incentive to encourage public safety personnel to live within the city. The program was later expanded to all city employees. Since the Hometown program was set up, several other agencies, including the city of Boise, the University of Washington, and the Seattle Community College District, have established similar employee incentive programs. Tacoma News Tribune, 8/5/99, and Continental Bank Representative
New Guide for Communicating Information about Disasters
A guide, Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages, has been developed by the National Disaster Education Coalition (Washington, D.C., 1999) to assist anyone providing disaster safety information to the public. The information is based on historical data for the United States and is appropriate for use by emergency managers, meteorologists, teachers, disaster and fire educators, public affairs/public relations personnel, mitigation specialists, media personnel, and/or any other person in the severe-weather, earthquake, disaster, or communications communities.
This guide provides standardized safety messages for 13 hazards as well as general disaster preparedness information. The messages, including preparedness, mitigation, and safety advice, have been reviewed and approved by national organizations comprising the National Disaster Education Coalition, a group that works to deliver consistent disaster preparedness information to the public. Following each message are explanations, statistics, or reasons that reinforce the credibility of the message and that correct myths and misinformation.
The coalition is composed of the American Red Cross; the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the Institute for Business and Home Safety; the International Association of Emergency Managers; the National Fire Protection Association; the National Weather Service; the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Cooperative State Research, Education, and Education Service; and the U. S. Geological Survey. The coalition considers this effort a major breakthrough. It is recommended that everyone having a role in communicating safety advice to the public obtain a copy of the guide and review its content. When opportunities arise to update Web sites, brochures, or other public information, this guide should be used to ensure technical accuracy and a consistent message.
Copies can be ordered from local chapters of the American Red Cross (stock number A4461M) for $3.00 per copy, plus shipping. It is also available in both HTML and downloadable PDF format on the Internet at www.redcross.org/disaster/safety/guide.html National Hazards Safety Observer, July 1999
You may have noticed a new color being used for signs at pedestrian, bicycle, and school crossings. It's called fluorescent strong yellow-green, which is easier to see than the familiar yellow signs, especially in twilight or overcast conditions. According to a note in Governing (June 1999 issue), the Federal Highway Administration gave a "thumbs up to their widespread use last year." Several Washington cities have started using these lime-green traffic signs.