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Municipal Research Council

Municipal Research Council

July 2009 to July 2010

Contents

The Municipal Research Council is a state agency that provides a comprehensive research and services program for the 281 cities and towns and 39 counties of Washington State. This is the continuation and expansion of a program that began in 1934 as a cooperative arrangement between the Association of Washington Cities and the Bureau of Governmental Research and Services at the University of Washington. Operations are funded out of a small portion of the cities' and counties' distribution of liquor profits and the Liquor Excise Tax. The Council has fourteen members: two appointed by the President of the Senate; two appointed by the Speaker of the House; one member shall be the director of community, trade and economic development; six members appointed by the Association of Washington Cities, two appointed by the Washington State Association of Counties, and one appointed by the Washington Association of County Officials.

The Municipal Research Council was created for the purpose of providing cost-saving research and services to local governments through one centralized source. The Council's programs are designed to provide technical expertise that for the most part is not affordable to an individual local government and to eliminate duplication of effort that occurs when services are performed separately by individual local governments. Since its inception it has been strongly supported by the user cities and towns who rely heavily on these services to function within municipal budgetary constraints. It appears that counties are also sharing these benefits, even though the county program is very new.

The Municipal Research Council is a state agency without a staff. Its programs are implemented through a contract with a not-for-profit organization called the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC). Key programs include an inquiry service program, which answered over 7,500 requests for assistance in 1999. Staff experience includes budgeting and finance, municipal law, public management and administration, planning and growth management, public works and utilities, and local government policies.

MRSC houses a reference library comprised of local documents, state laws, ordinances, city and county codes, magazines, journals, and standard reference works. City and county officials are encouraged to send copies of local ordinances, reports, studies, planning documents, comprehensive plans, surveys, and other items to MRSC so that they can be shared with other local governments.

You can access MRSC's Web site at www.mrsc.org This information-packed site includes the Revised Code of Washington, Washington Administrative Code, municipal and county codes, ordinances, and a wealth of information relevant to local governments in Washington State.

MRSC continues the publishing program started in 1934. It includes information bulletins, research memorandums, and reports.

MRSC programs belong to Washington cities and counties. We appreciate any comments or suggestions to improve our services.

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Municipal Research Council Member List

Six Members Appointed by the Association of Washington Cities

    The Honorable Donald J. Gerend
    Councilmember
    City of Sammamish
    801 228th Ave SE
    Sammamish, WA 98075

    The Honorable Jim Haggerton
    Councilmember
    City of Tukwila
    6200 Southcenter Blvd
    Tukwila, WA 98188

    The Honorable Barbara Harrer
    Mayor
    Town of Harrah
    11 East Pioneer
    PO Box 10
    Harrah, WA 98933-0010

    The Honorable Ted Hikel
    Councilmember
    City of Lynnwood
    19100 - 44th Ave W
    PO Box 5008
    Lynnwood, WA 98036

    The Honorable Tom Moak
    Councilmember
    City of Kennewick
    210 W 6th
    PO Box 61089
    Kennewick, WA 99336

    The Honorable Richard Munson (Vice Chair)
    Mayor
    City of Spokane Valley
    11707 E Sprague Ave, Suite 106
    Spokane Valley, WA 99206

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Two Members Appointed by the Speaker of the House

    The Honorable Deborah Eddy
    Washington State Representative
    132D Legislative Building
    PO Box 40600
    Olympia, WA 98504-0600

    The Honorable Bill Hinkle (Chair)
    Washington State Representative
    401 John L. O'Brien Building
    PO Box 40600
    Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Two Members Appointed by the President of the Senate

    The Honorable Mary Margaret Haugen
    Washington State Senator
    305 John A. Cherberg Building
    PO Box 40410
    Olympia, WA 98504-0410

    Vacant

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Two County Members Nominated by the Washington State Association of Counties

    The Honorable Mike Doherty
    Commissioner
    Clallam County
    223 East Fourth Street
    Port Angeles, WA 98362-3098

    Vacant

One Member Nominated by the Washington Association of County Officials

    Michael Garvison
    Auditor
    Skamania County
    240 NW Vancouver St
    Stevenson, WA 98648

    Dow Constantine
    Councilmember
    King County
    516 Third Ave, Rm 1200
    Seattle, WA 98104

Director of Community, Trade & Economic Development

    Roger Weeds
    Director
    Department of Commerce
    128-10th Avenue SW
    PO Box 42525
    Olympia, WA 98504-2525

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