Note: Some of the information on this archival Web page may no longer be current.
Focus - March 2002
What's New
Get a quick update on the latest additions to our Web site.
Update on I-695 Backfill
The budget that the legislature sent to the governor includes $8 million in
I-695 backfill for 134 cities and towns and $5 million for 18 counties. However,
the budget the Legislature passed is also out of balance by $38 million. Because
the governor’s budget did not include any money for I-695 backfill, there is
some concern that the governor will veto part or all of these appropriations
to balance the budget. The Association of Washington Cities is urging (see the
March 18 Legislative
Bulletin) city and town officials to contact the governor and ask him
to retain the appropriation for cities and towns in the budget. The Washington
State Association of Counties is asking (see the March 15 Courthouse
Journal, 
421
KB) county officials to do the same. (March 21)
Search Court Decisions on the MRSC Web Site
MRSC, in cooperation with the Washington State Bar Association and the Washington State Office of the Code Reviser, now provides full-text access to the Washington State Supreme Court opinions from 1939 to the present and published Court of Appeals opinions from 1969 to the present. The decisions are in the form of advance sheets (not the final official decisions), and for the most recent decisions, slip opinions. See the complete press release. Visit the new Web site at www.legalwa.org. (March 21)
Petition Method of Annexation Declared Unconstitutional
In a major decision, Grant County Fire Protection District No. 5 v. City of Moses Lake, the state supreme court has determined by a 6 to 3 majority that the petition method of annexation is constitutionally invalid because it "gives an impermissible privilege to owners of highly valued land." A Fact Sheet prepared by MRSC and AWC presents questions and answers on this case and its implications. (March 14)
2002-2003 Directory of Washington City and Town Officials
The 2002-2003 Directory of Washington City and Town Officials is back from
the printer and will be mailed to Washington cities and towns on Wednesday,
March 13, 2002. Others may purchase a copy by sending us an order
form (78
KB) with payment (pre-payment required). (March 12)
New Guidebook for Managing E-Mail Records
The State Division of Archives and Records Management has just issued a new
records management informational pamphlet, "Electronic
Mail: Guidelines for Developing Policy & Establishing Procedures for E-Mail"
(533
KB). While this publication is intended for use by state agencies, it will also
be useful to local governments as a guide for public records retention requirements,
policies and procedures. The pamphlet includes a frequently asked questions
section and a sample e-mail policy. (March 8)
Comcast / AT&T Transfer Applications
If your city currently has a cable franchise with AT&T or Comcast, take note of this info and the deadlines. On Feb. 28, 2002, AT&T and Comcast began delivering FCC Form 394 transfer applications to local franchising authorities. Section 617 of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 537, sets a 120-day time limit for action on a transfer application that contains all information required by the FCC and by the local franchising authority. An FCC rule, 47 C.F.R. § 76.502(b), also sets a 30-day time limit to notify the cable operator if a franchising authority "questions the accuracy of the information provided." Affected communities should be careful to meet these deadlines. Need further info? See "AT&T-Comcast Merger: Transfer Toolkit 2002" on the Miller & Van Eaton, P.L.L.C. website. (March 4)
Updated New City Guide Now Available
MRSC has just published an updated edition of The
New City Guide. (543
KB) This publication, last revised in 1994, is directed at any newly incorporating
city of any form of government, and is designed to provide guidance on how to
establish a functioning city government. It discussed the major issues that
should be addressed, including council organization, financial management, revenues,
personnel, service delivery, and choosing an incorporation date. (March 1)
Featured Page - Purchasing and Bidding
Our newly updated Purchasing and Bidding page contains information about purchasing procedures and policies along with documents and links to assist those who purchase goods and services for local governments. (March 1)
MRSC, Bellevue, Seattle and Vancouver Sites are "Top Picks"
The Municipal Research & Services Center of Washington web site has been named as a winner in MuniNet Guide & Review's annual Top Picks issue. The Seattle, Bellevue and Vancouver city Web sites were also named as Top Picks. Congratulations all around! (March 1)
Inquiry of the Week
This week's "Inquiry of the Week":
[Previous inquiries of the week]
Local Governments Improve Permitting Process
Pierce County planners have spent the last year working to improve their land use permit process including staff reorganizations, streamlined counter assistance, and the use of pagers. More from the News Tribune site. The City of Federal Way recently announced several changes to their permitting process designed to improve customer service. More from Federal Way's Web site. (March 1)
Service-Learning Links Curriculum with Community Service
A new report from The National Commission on Service-Learning, "Learning In Deed: The Power of Service-Learning for American Schools," finds that linking community service to curriculum builds better students and better citizens. More from the National League of Cities site. (March 1)
Link Between Growth Management and Housing Affordability
A new Brookings Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy report, "The
Link Between Growth Management and Housing Affordability: The Academic Evidence,"
(352
KB) reviews the academic literature and concludes that sound growth management
policies provide more affordable housing than traditional land use policies.
(March 1)
Affordable Housing Resource
The Fannie Mae Foundation's Housing and Community Development Knowledgeplex Web site provides a comprehensive, interactive resource for the affordable housing and community development field to share knowledge, build relationships, and shape the future of American communities. Designed for practitioners, scholars, and policy makers, this easy-to-use Web site offers: (1) practical solutions and innovative ideas; (2) timely news and authoritative information; and (3) collaboration with other housing leaders. (March 1)
Survey Finds Curfews Effective in Reducing Juvenile Crime
A survey conducted by the National League of Cities City found that the overwhelming majority of cities with curfews say they are effective in deterring crime and violence in their communities. More from American City & County and the National League of Cities. (March 1)
Smart Growth Works When Planning Laws Are Updated
A new report released by the American Planning Association (APA), "Planning
for Smart Growth: 2002 State of the States," (1.71
MB) shows that smart growth measures are most successful in states where planning
statutes have been modernized. The report also notes that Washington is among
the states that have made moderate to substantial changes to their planning
laws and are the furthest along in terms of implementing smart growth measures.
(March 1)
New Web Pages - Law Enforcement Services
Our new Law Enforcement Services Web pages provide sample documents, publications, and links relating to police/law enforcement administration, standards and levels of service, personnel, community policing and more. (February 19)
Web Sightings - Police and Law Enforcement
This month we have selected some links from MRSC's new Police and Law Enforcement pages:
- Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) (WASPC's links page includes Washington sheriff offices, local police departments, and other law enforcement sites).
- Community Policing Consortium - Partnership of police organizations administered and funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).
- National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) - U.S. Department of Justice - Includes law enforcement publications and resources and access to information on other topics.
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
- IACP Technology Clearinghouse - Central source for law enforcement technology information.
- National Crime Prevention Council - National
nonprofit educational organization focused on crime prevention by addressing
the causes of crime and violence and reducing opportunities for crime to occur.
(March 1)
Washington City/County History Quiz
Arriving in 1845, the pioneers who settled in this area were the first European-American settlers on Puget Sound. In 1846 they plowed land for their farms, and built the territory's first gristmill on the lower falls of the Deschutes River. They had originally intended to settle farther south, in what is present-day Oregon, but discovered that exclusionary Oregon laws of the time did not allow people of color to settle there. Since one of the members of the party, George Washington Bush, was Black, they decided to go north of the Columbia River. The party named their settlement "New Market" in contrast to the old market then at Fort Nisqually. The name was later changed to a Native American word meaning "noisy water." What city is it? And the answer is ~drum roll~ ... (March 1)
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.
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