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MRSC PUBLICATIONS › NEWS › Municipal Research News - June 1992
 

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Municipal Research News

Resources for Washington's Cities and Towns
June 1992

Articles

MRSC Promotes New Information Partnership

You already know that MRSC is a good place to find answers to your questions. The March issue of Municipal Research News reported that a record number of inquiries were received from cities last year. Growth in inquiry volume continues into 1992 with another 20 percent increase projected for the year.

MRSC is launching a campaign to increase the exchange of information among Washington municipalities using MRSC as a clearinghouse. The increase in requests for information mandates that more information be available. Currently only a few cities regularly send copies of ordinances and occasionally we receive copies of other items of interest. The rest must be obtained through a canvassing process that is labor intensive, costly, and incomplete. We need more "how we do it" information on file that is constantly updated, replaced, and replenished as new materials are produced.

MRSC is proposing that an information exchange network be created. MRSC has the facilities—a library for storage of physical documents and information systems to record and retrieve the information. We are developing the potential for electronic access so that not only can you call or write, you may also search our files from city hall. (See related articles on what's new at the Center on page 2.)

Only you can provide the vital information about what's new in city government in Washington. We know the need to share information is recognized by all. If each city and town designated key persons to ensure that items useful to other municipalities gets to MRSC, we could create a stronger centralized information resource for municipal officials. We believe that Washington municipalities can lead the nation in sharing their ideas and innovations.

Resource sharing ultimately saves you time, money, and provides solutions to municipal problems. The legislature recognized this need by directing all cities and towns to send copies of budgets and code cities to send ordinances to AWC. Currently AWC forwards copies of the budgets and ordinances received to MRSC for inclusion in the library.

In the next few months you will be made aware of needs and asked to participate in the resource sharing process. MRSC will ask for the name of a person we can regularly contact. Ultimately it is hoped that each city and town will add MRSC to the routing and mailing of publications, reports, brochures, documents, forms, and ordinances. A record will be entered in one of MRSC's databases and the items will be made available for use by other municipal officials.

So . . . what are we looking for? Just to give you an idea here are some of the items requested byyour colleagues in the last few weeks: sample home occupation and street right-of-way forms; city attorney contracts; job descriptions for dispatcher, scheduler and human resource director; low income tenant relocation ordinances; agreements for jail services; parade permit pro- cedures; fixed asset policies; computer hardware used by cities; ordinances regulating rollerblades; names of cities with summer intern programs; utility billing packages. In fact, the answer is ... samples of just about everything needed to run a city or town! Information about who is doing what: innovations, time saving techniques, money saving ideas, quality of life enhancements, and new city services.

MRSC has created an information futures task force which is charged with reviewing the overall needs of municipal officials—what are being satis- fied, what are emergent needs—and recommending a direction for MRSC's information service for the next five years and beyond to guide the development and delivery of information services. Members of the task force represent the municipal clerks, attorneys, public works, city managers, finance officers, planners, libraries, and AWC.

The ultimate objective of MRSC's focus on information resources is to provide the municipalities of this state a central information source, developed in cooperation with AWC, where municipalities can go to fulfill most of their needs. The success of the single source concept is in part dependent on the cooperation of all the cities and towns to direct items to the Center for inclusion in the information exchange network. Thanks for your help.

MRSC Joins Local Exchange & Dialog

MRSC has joined the Local Exchange, sponsored by the National League of Cities, Public Technology, Inc., and the International City/County Management Association in cooperation with GTE Education Services.

The Local Exchange offers access to a number of local government databases including GFOA Abstracts, Housing and Community Development, Innovations in Education, NLC's Legislative Updates, Local Government Solutions, NAHRO's Regulator and Legislative Information, and Urban Affairs Abstracts.

MRSC also has access to DIALOG which offers 380 databases including subject coverage in business, technology, law, medicine, engineering, social sciences, Economics, current events as well as book reviews, directories, and complete texts of articles from many newspapers, journals, and other original sources.

MRSC Planning Bulletin Board

MRSC is in the planning stages of initiating an electronic bulletin board system which will enable you to post requests for information from other city officials around the state who may be working on a similar project as you, and to access MRSC databases such as our online library catalog.

Anyone with a computer and a modem will be able to call into the system. If you have ideas as to the types of information you would like to be able to access on such a system, or if you have developed databases which you think would be of interest to other city officials, please call Fred Ward at the Center at 800/933-6772.

MRSC Goes Full Text

Beginning in June, MRSC research staff can perform computer searches on the full text of our replies to your inquiries. As part of a program to increase efficiency in responding to the growing volume of inquiries coming into the Center, the new system will allow us to take better advantage of work we have previously done. We are using Folio Views software which creates an index containing every word of every document entered into the system.

Until 1987, we used a paper and microfiche filing system which only provided access to our inquiry responses by inquiry number within city name and by MRSC subject code. In 1987 we began using a computer database system which provided keyword access to an 85 character summary of each inquiry. The full text of the inquiry correspondence then had to be retrieved from microfiche.

With the new full-text system we are no longer restricted to searching a limited number of fields and have access to any word or number contained in any document. By formulating a computer search strategy to cull documents on a particular subject, staff members have nearly instantaneous access on the computers in their offices, via our local area network, to that group of previous responses having the greatest bearing on the current inquiry.

Documents can then be read online, printed, or copied to a file. The system initially contains inquiry responses dating back to September 1988. We envision maintaining the most recent five years of correspondence on the system and storing the older correspondence in an archival file.

Incorporation Boom

by Robert R. Meinig, Legal Consultant

City fever is here! The idea of becoming "citified" is achieving a level of popularity in Washington State unseen since the 1950s when about 20 new cities were established in the state. In the quarter century prior to the recent incor- porations of Federal Way and SeaTac in 1990, only three new cities incorporated—Brier, Ocean Shores, and Mill Creek. Now, there are at least a dozen new cities being proposed. Two new cities, Burien and Woodinville, were recently approved by the voters.

The proposed cities represent diverse com- munities of varying sizes. With one exception, they are located west of the Cascade Mountains in Puget Sound or on the Olympic Peninsula. One is ready for an election on the issue. The proposed incor- poration of Birch Bay, south of Blaine, just passed boundary review board muster and will be put before the voters in the fall.

A number of proposed incorporations have sprouted in the Seattle metropolitan area, including: Newport Hills, located southwest of Bellevue; Sammamish, located east of Lake Sammamish and between Redmond and Issaquah; North Creek, between Bothell and Mill Creek in south Snohomish County; and Shoreline, north of the Seattle city line.

Incorporation has also been contemplated by the communities of Belfair (at the tip of Hood Canal), Point Roberts (the peninsula west of Blaine that extends south from mainland British Columbia), Cooper Point (west of Olympia), Camano Island, Vashon Island, and the combined communities of Clallam Bay and Seiku on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. There also may be other incorporations being discussed in communities elsewhere in the state that MRSC has not heard about.

Why the sudden resurgence of city fever? The basic reason for these incorporation proposals appears to be the same as it has always been: local control. Issues of local control have commonly in- volved land use planning, the provision of services such as police and fire protection, tax structure, and the like. The "quest" for local control may focus now more on issues of land use and growth as the result of rapid growth during the last decade in some areas of the state, particularly the Puget Sound region.

The focus on growth issues has been heightened recently by passage of the Growth Management Act in 1990. The Growth Management Act imposes comprehensive planning requirements. It requires that comprehensive plans be consistent among jurisdictions with common boundaries or that share regional issues. This legislation also mandates that counties, in a cooperative process with cities, define "urban growth areas." Urban growth is to be encour- aged inside such areas and should not occur outside. As a general rule, these urban growth areas are to be designated around existing cities and may be outside cities only if the area is already urban in nature or is adjacent to an area subject to urban growth. The designation of urban growth areas is intended to define the dividing line between urban and rural and, ultimately, between incorporated and unincorporated.

Inclusion within an urban growth area may have some impact on a community contemplating incor-poration. Historically, many communities have incorporated to avoid being annexed into adjacent cities. However, since the Growth Management Act restricts the area in which a city may annex to its urban growth area, unincorporated communities which lie within a city's urban growth area may find it more difficult to incorporate to avoid annexation.

This may particularly be the case in communities with less than 7500 population whose incorporation proposals are subject to the potential for boundary review board disapproval (in the 18 counties where such boards are established). The board may find inclusion within an urban growth area to be a significant factor against incorporation. Moreover, it is noteworthy that a boundary review board may consider an annexation proposal before an incor- poration proposal that may have been previously filed. In short, an unincorporated community's destiny may be strongly influenced by imple- mentation of the Growth Management Act.

Those communities which fix their course on incorporation will face what has traditionally been a long and somewhat complicated path to cityhood. Fortunately, the 1991 legislature has removed some obstacles from that path, at least with respect to the process of establishing a viable city government after a successful incorporation election. The 1991 statu- tory amendments greatly clarify the authority of an interim city council (the council during the period prior to the official incorporation date).

The incorporation process—including the elections to select the initial elected officials—is addressed in a recent MRSC publication entitled the Municipal Incorporation Guide, Report No. 21 (March 1992).

This publication was mailed to all cities so that they may be able to provide citizens information on how a community may incorporate. MRSC is also currently preparing The New City Guide which will address the process of creating a city government following a successful incorporation election. This publication is scheduled for completion in the fall of this year.

In addition to MRSC's publications, MRSC's library has incorporation studies from previous incorporation attempts, both successful and unsuc- cessful. MRSC extends its inquiry service to incorporation groups who seek information on the incorporation process. MRSC believes that it is important the new cities start off on the right foot by entering into the process with knowledge and understanding of its intricacies.

Incorporation remains a difficult, though certainly not impossible, result to achieve. The proposed Lakewood incorporation (south of Tacoma) was defeated in 1990, Chief Joseph (east of Spokane) was rejected by the voters in 1991, and the 1992 Woodinville incorporation vote was barely successful.

There still can be very effective opposition efforts, often centering on the specter, whether valid or not, of increased taxes. Incorporation may not, of course, be the panacea to the problems that beset an unincorporated community. Much will depend upon the individuals chosen to run the new city (and the individuals they in turn appoint), as well as upon the ability of the new city to reach aconsensus on a vision of the future city and to implement a plan to effectively achieve that vision.

Updates - Officials of Washington Cities Directory 1992 - 1993

Bellingham
Planning Manager Joann Smith

Edmonds
Councilmember Tom Petruzzi
(previously vacant seat)

Everett
City Attorney Michael E. Weight
City Prosecutor/Police Legal Advisor Jill Vanneman

Kirkland
Assistant City Manager Tara Adams
Councilmember Randy Barton (in place of Dave Russell)

La Center
Mayor Jack Wells

Medical Lake
Planning Director Bert Jackson

Port Angeles
Police Chief Steve Ilk
Councilmember Joan Sargent (in place of Harold Hutchison)

Prosser
Board of Adjustment Chairperson Tom Callahan
Planning Commission Chairperson Clarence Rincker
Administrative Assistant Mary Petersen
Safety Coordinator Mary Petersen

SeaTac
City Attorney Daniel B. Heid

Tenino
Clerk-Treasurer Karen Carlson

Vancouver
Councilmember Mike Wilson (in place of Scott Collier)
City Manager John Fischbach
Growth Management Planner Azam Babar
Human Resources/Risk Services Sharon Hobart
Land Development Planner Jon Wagner
Traffic Engineer John Bean

Giving up the Green to Save the Blue!

Water Conservation Update
by Roy H. Peterson, Public Works Consultant

Aside from the water source shortages experi- enced by many areas in our state, the growing individual demand, competing uses, and ever increasing population means we must all consider the need for water conservation and plan for its effects upon our municipal water and sewer systems.

We know that simple water conservation measures require little change in our habits and that plumbing fixture revisions can save large volumes of water.

For example, in an average single family residence, each person uses about 75-80 gallons per day inside the home. Estimates of each person's use is as follows:

  • 28% flushing toilets
  • 21% washing clothes
  • 21% showers
  • 12% faucets at wash bowls
  • 10% baths
  • 5% leaks in the private system
  • 3% washing dishes

Recognizing that the water is used through toilets, showers, and faucets, the Washington State Legislature approved a bill creating water use standards for toilets, urinals, showerheads, faucets, and aerators in 1989. These standards are imple- mented in two phases; the first phase went into effect July 1, 1990 and the sEcond phase will become effective on July 1, 1993.

The legislature adopted a phased approach which supersedes all local government codes and precludes cities and towns from enacting the new standards prior to the effective date. RCW 19.27.170(2) states that "the legislature recognizes that a phasing-in-approach to these new standards is appropriate..." and RCW 19.27.170(9) adds:

The water conservation performance standards shall supersede all local government codes. After July 1, 1990, cities, towns, and counties shall not amend the code revisions and standards established . . .

The following standards will apply to all new construction and remodeling involving replacement of plumbing fixtures in all residential, hotel, motel, school, industrial, commercial use buildings or other buildings as determined by the State Building Code Council.

The legislation adds that no individual, public or private corporation, firm, political subdivision, government agency, or other legal entity may, for purposes of use in this state, distribute, sell, offer for sale, import, install, or approve for installation any plumbing fixtures unless the fixtures meet the above water use standards.

Older style toilets use from 6 to 8 gallons per flush. When we reach Phase 2, the newer homes will reduce their toilet flushing by 75-80%, and their other household uses by about 50%.

Thus, with new fixtures and additional con- servation habits the average personal water usage will begin reducing from its present 75-80 gallons per day towards 45-50 gallons per day.

As this water usage reduces, municipalities should consider the following items:

  • Water rate schedules will need to be reviewed in light of the continually reducing volumes delivered and the continuing increasing costs of delivery.

  • Emphasis must be placed upon proper mini- mum sanitary sewer house connection slopes because reports have been received that the volume of water released from low flow toilets and faucets may not adequately flush wastes from the home to the municipal sewer in the street.

Wellhead Protection Program

The Washington State Department of Health's Wellhead Protection Program has provided MRSC with a Compendium of Local Wellhead Protection Ordinances. The publication, housed in four loose-leaf binders, is designed to help communities develop ordinances to protect their public drinking water supplies. The compendium includes approximately 250 local (U.S. cities, towns, tribal nations and reservations, and territories) ordinances, regulations, and bylaws designed to protect from contamination ground water systems used for public drinking water. The ordinances, regulations, and bylaws vary greatly by locality—ranging from overlay zoning districts, to transfer of development rights programs, to health regulations governing individual sewage disposal systems within wellheadprotection areas.

There is a three-part matrix for the compendium, alphabetized by state. The first part of the matrix presents an array of "tools" used by each community. These include zoning, subdivision control, and health regulations as well as a broad list of "general tools" used by local government.

The sEcond part of the matrix presents the activities that the ordinance, regulation, or bylaw is designed to regulate. The third part of the matrix indicates whether the ordinance, regulation or bylaw is contained within the compendium, the relative size of the community, the general aquifer type found in the community, and the date(s) of the adoption/ revision of the ordinance.

MRSC will provide a copy of the matrix that accompanies the compendium and furnish copies of selected ordinances for city officials on request.

For more information on the wellhead program contact: David Jennings, Program Manager, Wellhead Protection Program, Washington State Department of Health, Airdustrial Building 3, P.O. Box 47822, Olympia, WA 98504-7825. Phone: 206-586-7822.

Other wellhead protection items available at MRSC include:

Guidelines for delineation of wellhead protection areas. Office of Water, Office of Groundwater Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Washington, D.C.: U.S. E.P.A., June 22, 1987. various pagings. EPA 440/6-87-010. "These guidelines are provided as technical assistance to State and local governments in their efforts to protect ground-water resources supplying public wells used for drinking water. The document is one in a continuing series of publications on the hydrogeologic aspects of ground-water protection, prepared in response to the 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. Policies regarding applications by States for financial support are addressed in a separate grant guidance and application documents." [UW 7.1000 G855 1987].

Local financing for wellhead protection. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Office of Ground-water Protection. Washington, D.C.: U.S. E.P.A., June 1989. iv, 57 p. Office of Water (WH-550G). EPA 440/6-89-001. [UW 7.1000 L655 1989].

Protecting local groundwater supplies through wellhead protection. Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Washington, D.C.: U.S. E.P.A., May 1991. 18 p. Cover title reads: Protecting local ground-water... Office of Water Pub. No. WH-550. EPA 570/09/91-007. [UW 7.1000 P755 1991].

Wellhead protection programs : tools for local governments. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Apr 1989. 50 p. Office of Water (WH-550G). EPA 440/6-89-002. [UW 7.1000 W45 1989].

Ask MRSC

This column contains sum- maries of recent inquiries answered by MRSC consultants. The detailed legal analysis has been simplified; however, if a complete copy of the inquiry response is desired, please contact the Center.

ADA REQUIREMENTS - Must a city purchase a van accessible to disabled people?

A city is purchasing a van to pick up senior citizens to take them to activities at the city senior citizen center. This van will not operate on a fixed route but will operate on call.

Section 224 of the ADA requires public transit agencies that operate demand-responsive systems to ensure that newly purchased or leased vehicles solicited after August 25, 1990 are accessible to disabled people. The DOT regulations define demand-responsive as any system of transporting individuals by vehicle at the request of the user. Since the city in this case does fall within the definition of a public transit agency, it is covered by this requirement.

DOT may waive the accessibility requirement if, when viewed in its entirety, the system provides equivalent service to disabled and non-disabled passengers. However, in this case, the city has no vehicles which are accessible to disabled people and therefore it does not provide equivalent service. (Inquiry No. 92-2443)

BIDS - Does a city have the right to reject all bids?

Yes. Usually the bid specifications indicate that the city reserves the right to reject any and all bids. However, RCW 35.23.352 indicates that the city council has the right to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, or to reject any and all bids. This would always appear to be an option for those cities governed by RCW 35.23.352. (Inquiry No. 92-2930)

COUNCIL PROCEDURES - May a councilmember participate in a meeting by speaker phone?

Yes, if it is done correctly. The Human Rights and Public Disclosure Commissions have held meetings by means of speaker phones with par- ticipants in different locations. In order to be allowable, all persons participating in the meeting must be able to hear each other at the same time, such as by use of speaker phones.

GAMBLING TAXES - Does city have lien for unpaid gambling taxes?

No, not directly. The gambling tax statute, ch. 9.46 RCW, does not separately provide for a lien for unpaid taxes. However, pursuant to RCW 9.46.350, a city may bring a civil suit to recover unpaid taxes, seeking a writ of attachment. The procedures for obtaining such a writ are set out in ch. 6.25 RCW. If the court issues a writ, the county sheriff may put a lien on real property or seize personal property. See RCW 6.25.140 and RCW 6.17.160. (Inquiry No. 92-2896)

MAYOR - Does the deputy mayor become mayor if the mayor resigns in a mayor-council code city?

No. The council selects a new mayor by majority vote if there is a vacancy. The new mayor would serve until the next regular municipal election at which time an individual would be elected to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. The deputy mayor serves during the absence or temporary disability of the mayor. (Inquiry No. 92-2434)

METRIC CONVERSION - Is there a federal law relating to the metric conversion?

Yes. The Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 contains an amendment to the earlier Metric Conversion Act of 1975. This amendment designates the metric system of measurement as the preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce.

Further, the Act requires each federal agency to convert to the metric system by a certain date and, to the extent Economically feasible, by the end of fiscal year 1992, for their procurement, grants, and other business-related activities. The federal fiscal year will end in September.

This does not appear to have immediate impact on cities and towns directly, but they may indirectly be affected because of changes by the federal agencies and perhaps changes in grant applications and requirements. (Inquiry No. 92-2636)

MORATORIUMS - What new legislation was enacted on land use moratoriums?

The new legislation was enacted as Chapter 207, Laws of 1992 and is effective on June 11, 1992. If a city or town adopts a moratorium or interim zoning control without a public hearing, then it must hold a public hearing within sixty days of its adoption. If the council did not adopt findings of fact justifying the action before this hearing, then the council must do so immediately after this hearing. Any moratorium adopted under the new section may only be effective for up to six months, although it may be effective for up to one year if a work plan is developed for related studies providing for such a longer period. A moratorium may be renewed for one or more six month periods if a subsequent public hearing is held and findings of fact are made prior to each renewal. (Inquiry No. 92-2989)

PEDDLERS LICENSES - May a city impose a license fee on a door-to-door peddler?

Yes, if the fee is not so large as to be a burden on interstate commerce. Many cities impose a business license requirement or peddler's license fee on businesses which temporarily send sales per- sonnel into the city to solicit orders door-to-door. Court cases have upheld the right of a city to impose such a requirement so long as the amount of the fee is not unreasonable so that it becomes a burden on interstate commerce. While it is impossible to define exactly what constitutes an undue burden on interstate commerce, a fairly nominal fee imposed on such merchants is not likely to be unconstitutional. (Inquiry No. 92-3065)

PRIVATE COVENANTS - Is a city responsible for enforcing private covenants on a plat?

No. Generally speaking, cities are not responsible for enforcing private covenants between landowners. These should be enforced privately since they do not involve city regulations or requirements. (Inquiry No. 92- 2969)

PUBLIC RECORDS - Must city acknowledge receipt of record request within 24 hours and esti-mate time for response?

No, although new 1992 legislation has changed the requirements for responding to public records requests. Chapter 139, Laws of 1992. Effective June 11,1992, a city must within five days of receiving a request either (1) provide a copy of the record, (2) acknowledge receipt of the request and provide a reasonable estimate of the time the city will need to respond, or (3) deny the request. (Inquiry No. 92-2783)

Census '90

MRSC has received a 2,000 page print-out of Washington's Economic, social, and housing data for Washington places (cities, towns, counties, and census places) from the 1990 Census Summary Tape File 3A for the state of Washington.

Information contained in the printout for each jurisdiction includes:

Selected social characteristics: school enrollment, educational attainment, residence in 1985, disability of civilian noninstitutionalized persons, children ever borne per 1,000 women, veteran status, nativity and place of birth, language spoken at home, ancestry.

Selected labor force and community characteristics: labor force status, commuting to work, occupation, industry, class of worker. Income and poverty status: income in 1989, income type in 1989, poverty status 1989, percent below poverty level. Selected housing characteristics: total housing units, year built, bedrooms, plumbing, heating, year householder moved into unit, vehicles available, mortgage status and selected monthly owner costs, and rent.

From the Library

The publications listed below are available for two-week loan. Contact Lois Weed, MRSC Library, at (206) 827-4334.

Growth Management Update

For the common good: preserving private lands with conservation easements [videocassette], by theLand Trust Alliance. Washington, D.C. 1985. 6.5 minutes. [PL 5.2800 G655 1985 Vid]

The conservation easement handbook: managing land conservation and historic preservation easement programs, by Janet Diehl and Thomas S. Barrett. San Francisco: Trust for the Public Land, 1988. 269 p. [PL 5.2800 C654 1988]

Impact fees: issues and case studies, by Dan Hoxworth. (MIS Report v.23, n.12). Washington, D.C.: International City/County Management Association, December 1991. [G 0.0000 I5m]

Landscape linkages and biodiversity, edited by Wendy E. Hudson. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 1991. 196 p. [PL 5.7000 L355 1991]

Starting a land trust: a guide to forming a land conservation organization. Washington, D.C.: Land Trust Alliance, 1990. 175 p. [PL 5.2800 S755 1990]

Tactics for preserving open space: a survey and analysis of parkland acquisition techniques, by Elise M. Bright. Arlington, Tex.: University of Texas, Institute of Urban Studies, 1990. 51 p. [PL 5.2810 T355 1990]

Wildlife reserves and corridors in the urban environment: a guide to ecological landscape planning and resource conservation, by Lowell W. Adams and Louise E. Dove. Columbia, Mo.: National Institute for Urban Wildlife, 1989. 91 p. [PL 5.7000 W555 1989]

Global Cities Project Series: Building Sustainable Communities: An Environmental Guide for Local government. San Francisco: Center for the Study of Law and Politics.

Energy: efficiency and production. 1991. 262 p. [EC 4.0000 E555 1991]

Open space: preservation and acquisition. 1991. 162. [PL 5.2800 O655 1991]

Solid waste: reduction, reuse, & recycling. 1991. 144 p. [UR 7.0000 S562 1991]

Toxics: management and reduction. 1991. 182 p. [EN 9.0000 T655 1991]

Transportation: efficiency and alternatives. 1991. 92 p. [UT 3.000 T725 1991]

Water: conservation and reclamation. 1990. 136 p. [UW 4.7000 W325 1990]

Water quality: protection and remediation. 1991. 326 p. [UW 6.0000 W356 1991]

Urban forestry. 1991. 112 p. [PL 5.7200 U727 1991]

Other publications of interest

Community Economic analysis: a how to manual, by Ron Hustedde, Ron Shaffer, and Glen Pulver. Madison, Wis.: Iowa State University, Center for Rural Development, 1984. 84 p. [ED 4.1000 C655 1984]

Getting rid of graffiti: a practical guide to graffiti removal and anti-graffiti protection, by M.J. Whitford. London: E & FN Spon, 1992. 160 p. [PS 7.1100 G45].

Harvesting hometown jobs: a small town guide to local Economic development, by Nancy T. Stark.Washington, D.C.: National Association of Towns and Townships, 1990. 34 p.

Professionalism in local government: transformations in the roles, responsibilities and values of city managers, by John Nalbandian. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1991. 129 p. [G 2.4000 P755 1991]

Public management strategies: guidelines for managerial effectiveness, by Barry Bozeman and Jeffrey D. Straussman. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1990. 252 p. [F 2.0000 A325 1991]

Recruiting local government executives: practical insights for hiring authorities and candidates. San Francisco: Jossey Bass, 1989. 252 p. [PE 2.3000 R455 1989]

Take charge: Economic development in small communities: empowering rural communities for the 1990s. Madison, Wis.: Iowa State University, Center for Rural Development, 1990. [ED 2.0000 T355 1990]

Ideas and Innovations: Management Improvement Projects From ICMA

These excerpts have been taken from ICMA's Guide to Management Improvement Projects in Local Government, Vol. 16, No. 1, 1992, reprinted with permission. The Guide is issued quarterly and contains 50 executive program summaries covering innovative solutions to current problems. The summaries contain names, addresses, and phone numbers of local persons involved in each project. The cost of the subscription is $63.00 a year. MRSC has subscription information, or call ICMA 202-962-3535.

Should your city or town have innovative programs or a simple idea that works to create cost savings or make the quality of life better, please provide a short summary to MRSC for inclusion in our newsletter.

Food for fines. To help the less fortunate during the winter holidays, and to decrease book fines incurred by library patrons, Scottsdale, Arizona (130,000) public libraries initiated the Food for Fines program. Patrons with overdue books were granted amnesty from fines if they brought in nonperishable food items. The library erased $1.00 from the contributor's account for each food item, although all patrons were invited to contribute regardless of whether they had fines. In six days, the library collected over 2,000 cans of food which were donated to the city's social service center to help feed the needy. The program was advertised in the local newspaper and promoted through library publications.

Smart cards. French companies and cities have been experimenting with "smart cards," computerized cards the size of credit cards capable of holding large amounts of information. In the case of a phone company, which sold 60 million cards last year, they are used as prepaid alternatives to cash. Smart cards can also ensure the safety of transactions and make large amounts of information portable. The Paris mass transit system is experimenting with smart cards to debit passenger fares, while other citiesare testing dashboard parking meters using smart cards. Another option is to record computerized health care records on smart cards, allowing health care providers to read patients' entire medical history with a card reader. More than 20 French cities are operating smart card experiments to: streamline payment of municipal service, make user fees, tolls and fare systems more flexible; and reduce administrative costs. Public Innovation Abroad, George Wynne, Editor, Academy for State and Local government.

Sweat equity. Low-income families cannot usually afford to make a down payment on a home. Santa Maria, California (60,000), makes it possible for workers with average salaries of $20,000 or less to buy houses by helping to build their own homes. The families must have an income under $24,250 for a family of four, but most participating families earn around $20,000. Using community development block grant funds totally $400,000, the city acquired 70 lots, and sold them below market value to Peoples Self-Help Housing Corp. Ten families, including both spouses and children over the age of 18, signed a contract to work 40 hours per week in addition to their regular employment. The con- struction rate averages 10 months for a group of 10 homes. Seven groups of 10 families have already been working for one year, and will have completed 70 houses by the end of 1992. Low-income families can now own homes without making a cash down payment.

Talk of the town. Martinez California (32,000), is one of seven cities in the U.S. with an official town crier, a profession recognized since the 12th century. Martinez's town crier announces community events, participates in city celebrations such as the Fourth of July and Columbus Day, and entertains citizens. The town crier is a volunteer, who also produces a newsletter and dedicates approximately one hour a week to verbalizing information to the community.

New Ordinances Received by MRSC

The Center's library prepares a monthly list of recently-enacted ordinances received from cities and towns. For a copy of the ordinances listed here or the complete list, call the MRSC Library at (206) 827-4334.

ART COMMISSION - SeaTac Ordinance No. 92-1005 creates an advisory Arts Commission, provides for its membership, terms of office, compensation, expenses, meetings, responsibilities, procedures, and reports of progress. Passed 2/92. (PL 2.5000)

BINGO - Newport Ordinance No. 803 authorizes the establishment of a city-sponsored bingo game and selling of pull-tabs, identifies the purpose for establishing the bingo game, and designates the responsible official. Passed 5/92. (LR 40.2000)

BUSINESS AND OCCUPATION TAX - Bainbridge Island Ordinance No. 92-10 levies a business and occupation tax in accordance with RCW 35.21.710, sets out requirements, procedures. Passed 3/92. (F 5.1300)

DAY CARE FACILITIES - Fircrest Ordinance No. 1001 updates city's land use code consistent with provisions of WAC 388-150 and 388-155, defines child day care center and related terms. Passed 3/92. Mukilteo Ordinance No. 728 establishes land use regulations and a permit system for the establishment and operation of day care facilities. Passed 3/92. (PL 8.3760)

DUST ABATEMENT - Union Gap Ordinance No. 1537 establishes a dust abatement policy to reduce the dust created by unpaved streets located in the city. Passed 12/91. (S 2.1400)

FAIR HOUSING - Lacey Ordinance No. 931 recognizes that housing facilities for people with special needs are protected by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988. Allows housing for people with functional disabilities to be located within all residential zones of the city. Passed 3/92. (HO 2.0000)

FARM LAND PRESERVATION - Whatcom County Ordinance No. 92-015 adopts a right to farm law that complies with the Growth Management Act, amends county zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations. Passed 3/92. (PL 5.2300)

FINANCIAL REPORTING - Port Townsend Ordinance No. 2298 provides for the disclosure of election campaign financing information for city offices and requires filing campaign financing reports with the Public Disclosure Commission and the Jefferson County Auditor. Passed 5/92. (G 5.9300)

FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS - Fircrest Ordinance No. 1002 requires installation of automatic fire detection and fire sprinkler systems in new and existing buildings, establishes minimum requirements for fire protection systems in buildings within the city used for assembly, business, education, institutions, hazardous occupancies, and multi-family dwellings. Passed 3/92. (C 4.5500)

FIRE LANES - SeaTac Ordinance No. 92-1006 provides requirements for establishing and marking of fire lanes. Passed 2/92. (C 4.5100)

HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT - Snoqualmie Ordinance No. 681 establishes an overlay zone for the historic districts of the city, establishes regulations for the historic districts. Passed 2/92. (PL 8.3181)

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS - Olympia Ordinance No. 5267 establishes procedures for improved communications between neighborhood associations and city government. Passed 3/92. (PL 5.2110)

OPEN SPACES, CONSERVATION EASEMENTS - Mercer Island Ordinance No. B-93 establishes the Mercer Island Open Space Conservancy Trust. Passed 2/92. (PL 5.2800)

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE - Bellevue Ordinance No. 4354 establishes regulations and procedures for providing relocation assistance for low-income tenants upon the demolition, substantial rehabilitation, or change of use of residential property. Passed 5/92. (PP 1.1600)

SENSITIVE AREAS - Algona Ordinance No. 690 (3/92), Bainbridge Island Ordinance No. 92-07 (2/92), Bothell Ordinance No. 1447 - interim regulations (2/92), Edmonds Ordinance No. 2874 -interim (2/92), Langley Ordinance No. 619 (3/92), Lynnwood Ordinance No. 1877 (2/92) Mercer Island Ordinance No. A-96 - interim (2/92), Mill Creek Ordinance No. 92-273 (5/92), Oak Harbor Ordinance No. 914 (4/92), Poulsbo Ordinance No. 92-05 (3/92), Rock Island Ordinance No. 92-009 (4/92), Waterville Ordinance No. 92-513 (4/92).

STREET AND SIDEWALK VENDORS - Port Townsend Ordinance No. 2296 regulates street and sidewalk vendors, take-out windows and displays of merchandise on sidewalks or streets and adjacent to street or sidewalks, establishes fees for street vendors. Passed 5/92. (LR 68.0000)

USE OF CITY PROPERTY - Bellevue Ordinance No. 4346 provides for payment of a monthly allowance in lieu of reimbursement for use of personal automobiles by councilmembers for official travel. Passed 4/92. (PE 6.7000)

UTILITY TAX - Pullman Ordinance No. 92-7 clarifies definitions of "Telephone Business" and "Competitive Telephone Service", adds cellular telephone services to the definition of "Telephone Business", increases the tax rate from 4% to 5% to provide funding for street maintenance, provides a referendum procedure for said increase, and amends and recodifies city code. Passed 4/92. (F 5.1400)

Resource Sharing

City of Mill Creek City Services: Information and referrals. May 1992. 16 p. A brochure which provides information on city government, city boards and commissions, commonly asked questions like who to call when a street light is out, and addresses and phone numbers of other government agencies and service organizations.

"Making things happen ... Kennewick" a packet promoting the city of Kennewick. Contains individual pages on the quality of life, schools, health care, a city profile, development procedures and resources, industrial development, transportation, utilities, and communications, as well as full page color photos promoting qualities of Kennewick.

Wonderful world of woods and water: a history of Normandy Park written by the City of Normandy Park History Committee.

DCD's Emergency Management Division has provided MRSC with copies of sample emergency disaster plans from Tumwater, Renton, Spokane County, Kent, and Yakima County.

Changes in MRSC Board

The MRSC's board of directors announced three retirements, the election of new officers, and changes in its governing structure at the June 18, 1992 meeting. Formerly composed of both members and directors, the governing structure was streamlined to consist of 16 directors. Wayne C. Booth and Joseph A. Street retired from the board of directors; Gordon Clinton retired from the membership. Both Booth and Clinton served since 1969 and were among MRSC's founding members. Street joined the MRSC board in 1980.

Two new directors were elected by the MRSC board—Joan Earl, Snohomish County Deputy County Executive and former City Manager of Mill Creek, and G. David Robinson, who is currently with the Spokane Public Facilities District. Robinson is a former Spokane city councilmember.

New officers were also elected—L. Joe Miller replaced Warren A. Bishop as President; Nan Henriksen replaced Harry A. Pryde as Vice President; and Donald H. Stout replaced Lloyd W. Peterson as Secretary. The office of Treasurer held by John D. Ishii was changed to an administrative function. Bishop, Pryde, Ishii, and Peterson will continue serving as MRSC board directors.

The Center gratefully thanks these distinguished persons for their dedicated service. We wish them well in their future endeavors. Thanks is also given to outgoing officers who are continuing service on the board.

Water Conservation Publications

The following publications are available on library loan from the MRSC Library.

Commercial/industrial water conservation guide: Cupertino, California, by City of Cupertino, California. (Clearinghouse Report / International City Management Association (ICMA)). Washington, D.C.: International City Mangement Association, [1987-1988?]. 23 p. Distributed by Management Information Publications, ICMA. Clearinghouse Report #40611. [UW 4.7000 C665].

Domestic water system water shortage response plan, by Huibregtse, Louman Associates, Inc. Omak, Wash.: City of Omak, Washington, May 1991. 26 p. [UW 4.7000 O47 D65 1991 **].

Guidelines for the preparation of water shortage response plans, prepared by Richard Siffert and Carole Richmond of the Office of Environmental Health Programs, Dept. of Social & Health Services. Olympia, Wash.: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, 1988. [various paging]. [UW 4.7000 G85 1988].

Water: conservation and reclamation, by Global Cities Project. (Building Sustainable Communities: An Environmental Guide for Local Government). San Francisco, Calif.: Center for the Study of Law and Politics, Dec. 1990. 136 p. "This handbook addresses actions local governments can take to conserve and reclaim water--in their own facilities and in the community." [UW 4.7000 W325 1990].

Water conservation in residential development: land use techniques, by Welford Sanders and Charles Thurow. (Planning Advisory Service Report No. 373). Chicago: American Planning Association, 1982. 33 p. [PL 0.0000 A6pas no.373].

Water conservation planning handbook for public water systems, by Washington State Department of Ecology, Water Resources Program. Olympia, Washington: State of Washington, November 1991. Various pagings. [UW 4.7000 W355 1991].

Water resources protection technology : a handbook of measures to protect water resources in land development, by J. Toby Tourbier; Richard Westmacott. Washington, D.C.: ULI-Urban Land Institute, c1981. vi, 178 p. : ill. Purpose of handbook is "to provide developers with the necessary data to select and design appropriate measures to prevent water related problems...". [UW 7.0000 W38 1981].

Water reuse: manual of practice, prepared by Task Force on Water Reuse. 2nd ed. Alexandria, Va.: WPCF, 1989. x, 243 p. (Manual of Practice / Water Pollution Control Federation (WPCF)). Contents: Sources of wastewater for reuse - Reuse applications - Planning and managing reuse systems - Municipal treatment - Processes and systems - Reliability of reuse systems - Health effects - Social &legal aspects of reuse - Glossary - Index. [UW 4.7000 W38 1989].

Xeriscape: landscaping to conserve water. (PAS Memo, February 1991). Chicago: American Planning Association, 1991. 3 p.

elated periodicals subscribed to by MRSC:

    American Water Works Association Journal, published monthly
    U.S. Water News, published monthly
    Water Engineering & Management, published monthly
    Waterworld News, published quarterly

Radon Alert!

All municipal building officials should be aware that new radon monitoring legislation takes effect on July 1, 1992! At the time of final inspection of a new single-family residence or new ground floor unit in a multi-family residential structure, the building inspector is to provide a three-month etched track radon measuring unit for installation in the building.

The municipality is responsible for the purchase and delivery of the radon testing unit to thEcontractor. The building owner is responsible for the return of the unit to the testing unit manufacturer after a 90-day test period. The postage necessary to return the testing unit to its manufacturer and the cost of testing are to be included in the price of the unit. (Chapter 132, Laws of 1992 (SSB 6386).)

We understand that the State is obtaining bids for these radon testing units and will make them available for purchasing through the State. Early cost estimates range from $9.00 to $20.00 per unit. To avoid unscheduled expenses, municipalities should probably plan to include the cost of the radon testing unit in their future building permit fees.