Municipal Research Council
July 2009 to July 2010
Contents
- Municipal Research Council Member List
- Six Members Appointed by the Association of Washington Cities
- Two Members Appointed by the Speaker of the House
- Two Members Appointed by the President of the Senate
- Two County Members Nominated by the Washington State Association of Counties
- One Member Nominated by the Washington Association of County Officials
- One Member Shall be the Director of Community, Trade and Economic Development
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.
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
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
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