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MRSC FOCUS › Focus - June 2001
 

Note: Some of the information on this archival Web page may no longer be current.

Focus - June 2001

MRSC Introduces New Search System for Codes

MRSC has implemented a new search system for municipal codes and other public documents. The system can also serve as the search tool for visitors to your city or county Web site. If we already host your code, you will receive a letter the week of June 25 describing the new system. For an example of how the system works, see the Federal Way code. Note the pull-down menu to search the code, other public documents or the entire city Web site. Contact Fred Ward with any questions. (June 25, 2001)

New Web Page – Effective Citizen Communication and Involvement

Our new Effective Communication and Citizen Involvement Web page presents ideas and examples of successful communication tools that local governments can use to (1) keep citizens informed about community issues and services, (2) to obtain feedback about citizen concerns and, (3) to engage citizens in shaping community direction, improvement programs and services. It also presents information and techniques for better communicating what local government is and what it does for us. (June 19, 2001)

I-722 Case Heard by State Supreme Court

The Washington State Supreme Court heard oral arguments on June 12 to determine whether Initiative 722 is constitutional. No final decision is expected before fall. In February, Thurston County Superior Court judge Christine Pomeroy struck down Initiative 722 (Adobe Acrobat Document1,897 Kb) as unconstitutional on several grounds, including that it violated the single subject rule. The state and all political subdivisions were enjoined at that time from enforcing and implementing the initiative until the supreme court makes its decision. (June 21, 2001)

Try Our New Site Search Program

Our new search program makes it easier for you to find what you're looking for on MRSC's Web site. You can search the entire MRSC site, or just our sample ordinances, contracts, job descriptions and forms. The new search program can handle a greater variety of document types (e.g., HTML, PDF and Word) which means your searches are more comprehensive. For now, we will continue using a separate search program for the municipal codes, RCW and WAC, but will be adding these to the new system over time. Try our site index too! (June 6, 2001)

Seattle Impound Ordinance Suffers Legal Setback

A King County Superior Court judge has ruled (Adobe Acrobat Document900 Kb) the state constitution requires that, before officers may impound a vehicle under Seattle’s ordinance authorizing impoundment of a vehicle driven by a person with a suspended license, they must first consider "reasonable alternatives," such as having a friend or relative drive it away. Seattle adopted its impound ordinance under the authority of RCW 46.55.113. According to newspaper accounts, Seattle will likely appeal the decision. (May 30, 2001)

Buy Seattle's Surplus On-Line

The Good Government Group (GGG) is pleased to announce a new Internet distribution and auction program for governmental agencies throughout Washington. In partnership with the Public Technology Inc. and the GGG, GovDeals is conducting online surplus equipment auctions that provide Washington government agencies the opportunity to buy surplus items initially from the City of Seattle, and in the immediate future from any governmental agency in Washington. More ... (June 1, 2001)

Inquiry of the Week

This week's "Inquiry of the Week":

Which Washington cities and counties offer benefits for domestic partners of employees?

[Previous inquiries of the week]

MRSC's Web Site Usage Exceeded 100,000 in May

In May, MRSC's Web site, for the first time, logged more than 100,000 user sessions! May's 105,020 visitors opened an average of 4.5 pages per visit for a total of 470,392 page views. Usage has grown steadily since we first tracked 2,600 visitors in November 1996. See our complete usage history. Thanks for coming!! (June 1, 2001)

New Web Page - Emergency Management and Disaster Planning

Our new Emergency Management and Disaster Planning Web page includes information on emergency management planning, obtaining services, supplies and materials, emergency proclamations, emergency management organizations, comprehensive emergency management plans (CEMP), and more. (June 1, 2001)

Regional Jail Study Complete, Report Available

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs has completed a study on regional jails, Regional Jails in the State of Washington. Among its 11 recommendations, the study endorses development of statutory authorization for multiple jurisdiction jails, state as well as local funding for construction and operations, and a pilot project that includes participation by the state department of corrections. (June 1, 2001)

Guidebook for Reporters Covering City Hall

The Georgia Municipal Association recently released A Reporter's Guide to Covering City Hall (Adobe Acrobat Document328 Kb), aimed at helping members of the media who cover Georgia city government. The guidebook outlines basic local government terms and concepts and numerous aspects of municipal services and finances. We like it! (June 1, 2001)

Regional Public Information Network

Agencies from throughout King County are partnering to deliver more effective, coordinated public information during emergencies and other major incidents. The Regional Public Information Network on Govlink.org was created to provide a site where state and local agencies can post information of mutual interest during emergencies or other significant events. More … (June 1, 2001)

PSRC Celebrates VISION 2020 Award Winners

The Puget Sound Regional Council recently honored some of the best and brightest efforts to enhance quality of life in central Puget Sound through their annual VISION 2020 Awards program. More … (June 1, 2001)

Government Innovation Report Released

In a new report from the PricewaterhouseCoopers Endowment for the Business of Government, The Challenge of Innovating in Government (Adobe Acrobat Document370 Kb), researchers surveyed government innovations award-winners in the United States and the British Commonwealth to chart obstacles to innovation and determine how those obstacles are overcome. The report identifies five building blocks for innovation. (June 1, 2001)

What is Smart Growth?

A recent American Planning Association Planning Magazine features an article by Anthony Downs entitled, "What Does 'Smart Growth' Really Mean?" According to the author, across the nation, this term has many different meanings. (June 1, 2001)

City Growth and the 2000 Census

In "City Growth and the 2000 Census: Which Places Grew, and Why" (Adobe Acrobat Document566 Kb), Edward Glaeser and Jesse M. Shapiro, The Brookings Institution Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy, analyze the factors that contributed to population growth during the 1990's and why some cities gained while others lost. (June 1, 2001)

We Need Your Input!

We are in the process of updating two MRSC publications - the Washington State Small Works Roster Manual for Local Governments, Report No. 51, June 2000, and the Washington State Local Improvement District Manual, Report No. 36, October 1996. We invite you to submit comments, corrections, suggested updates and/or sample documents to our Public Works Consultant, John Carpita. More ... (May 21, 2001)

Bid Law Changes - 2001 Legislative Session

Senate Bill 5063, authorizing a limited public works process for certain contracts estimated to cost less than $35,000, and Senate Bill 5060 revising alternative public works contracting procedures, have been forwarded to the Governor. More ... (May 21, 2001)

Web Sightings - E-government

This month we focus on sites offering information on E-Government issues, resources and examples: (June 1, 2001)

Washington City/County History Quiz

For thousands of years, the area surrounding this city's present-day location was home to native people who flourished on the bounty of the nearby forest and river. In 1825 it became the headquarters of Hudson's Bay Company and for many years it was the center of all fur trading in the Pacific Northwest. It is the oldest permanent non-native settlement in Pacific Northwest and claims to have the oldest living apple tree in Pacific Northwest (planted 1826). Its airport has the distinction of being the landing site of the first transpolar flight in 1937. What city is it? And the answer is ~drum roll~ ... (June 1, 2001)

Selected New MRSC Library Materials

Browse through a selected list of new MRSC Library materials (listed by subject). The list includes new library books, videos, articles, government publications, and more.

Get MRSC Web Site Updates and Quarterly Newsletter by E-mail

You can get a monthly e-mail notifying you of selected updates to MRSC's Web site along with an electronic copy of our quarterly newsletter, by subscribing to the mrscnews mailing list. Send a message to mrscnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. In the body of your message, type: subscribe [your name]. If you have any questions about subscribing, please contact listadmin@mrsc.org.

Unlike most listservs, mrscnews is not a discussion list to which all subscribers may post messages, but a free subscription to a monthly notice updating you on major changes and additions to the MRSC Web site, and an electronic copy of our quarterly newsletter.