Note: Some of the information on this archival Web page may no longer be current.
Focus - May 1998
Inquiry of the Week
This week's "Inquiry of the Week":
[Previous inquiries of the week]
New Web Page on Proposed Salmon Listing under Endangered Species Act
We've just added a new Web page - Endangered Species: Salmon - to share information on the impacts of the proposed listing of Puget Sound chinook and five other species of Washington salmon for protection as "threatened" species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The purpose of this page will be to assist Washington local governments in dealing with the impacts of the proposed ESA listing by providing a directory of ESA-related links and a place where officials and staff can share information on both current and proposed policies and programs.
More on the Year 2000 Problem
What does the Year 2000 problem mean for small cities, towns, and counties within Washington State? Find out in "The Year 2000 Computer Problem: Issues for Small Jurisdictions," by Fred Ward, MRSC Manager of Library & Information Services, April 1998.
New MRSC Public Works Publication Online
MRSC's new Washington State Model Design and Construction Management Manual provides information and advice on public works project design/construction management and sample documents. Each chapter of the Manual will be published first as an electronic document on MRSC's Web site and then in a paper version over the next two years. The first section on Consultant Selection is now on our Web site. The following chapters are under construction: Before You Advertise, Bidding and Award, Beginning the Contract, Administering the Contract, and Contract Completion and Closeout.
Can't Afford an Ombudsman? Think Again.
A number of larger cities and counties have appointed full-time ombudsmen to deal with complaint resolution issues. But it is often impractical for smaller organizations with insufficient funds or staffing depth to commit either a full- or a part-time position to these duties. Andy Barton, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Kirkland, describes in "Appoint an Ombudsman" how Kirkland has been able to incorporate ombudsman complaint resolution responsibilities into an existing position.
Local Government Finance Project
The Local Government Finance Project is an effort underway to strengthen financial reporting processes related to cities and counties around the state. The new system, will bring information right to the desktop of lawmakers, policy analysts, state and local governments, and taxpayers. The prototype is now available on the Web.
Northwest Region Economic Data Available Online
At the Northwest Income Indicators Project home page, sponsored by the Washington State University Cooperative Extension, Department of Agricultural Economics, you may readily access and download tabulations of Economic data for the regions and counties of the Northwest compiled by the Regional Economic Information System of the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data are annual, spanning 27-years -- from 1969 to 1995. The data includes population, personal income, per capita income, employment, industry earnings and average earnings per job.
Flashing Crosswalks in Kirkland Get Citizen Thumbs-Up
An experimental crosswalk warning system installed at two locations by the city of Kirkland has drawn a positive response from both pedestrians and motorists. The crosswalks have specialized flashing pavement "buttons" whose lights are activated by pressing a switch located by the curb.
Web Sightings
This month we offer several sites that focus on environmental issues including water quality, hazardous waste management, endangered species, and more:
- Endangered Species Home Page -
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Web site includes many pages of information
on the Endangered Species Act, including "Frequently Asked Questions."
- Washington
Wild Salmonid Restoration - This Web site provides information about the
state's restoration efforts and implications of the Endangered Species Act
on the lives of Washingtonians. Includes the draft State Salmon Strategy Framework
prepared by the Governor's Joint Natural Resources Cabinet.
- Puget Sound On-line - Sponsored
by the Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team, this Web site focuses on protection
of water quality and resources of Puget Sound.
- Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) - DOE has a rich Web site with a permit assistance center and information on water quality and resources, wetlands, air quality, hazardous waste, and much more.
Did You Know?
Did you know that there is a statute authorizing public agencies to collect up to $1,000 for the costs of an emergency response to an accident caused by an intoxicated driver? Check out RCW 38.52.430, passed by the legislature in 1993. Apparently some local government jurisdictions have not been using this statute. To utilize the statute the driver has to either be convicted of DUI or enter into a deferred prosecution for that charge.
Community Policing Project Online
NLC's Community Policing Project has gone online! City officials can now learn about successful community policing efforts that are being conducted in cities and towns throughout the country right from their computer.
Washington Model Traffic Ordinance
The Washington Model Traffic Ordinance (MTO) is a uniform compilation of traffic laws that has been adopted by the State of Washington in the Washington Administrative Code, Ch. 308-330 WAC. Cities, towns and counties are authorized to adopt the Washington MTO by reference and over 150 cities and towns and over 20 counties have done so. This booklet contains all of the Washington Administrative Code regulations that comprise the MTO and also contains the full text of all the Washington State statutory provisions that are adopted by reference in the MTO. This booklet contains an up-to-date version of the Washington MTO as of April 1, 1998.
Get MRSC Web Site Updates by E-mail
You can get a monthly e-mail notifying you of selected updates to MRSC's Web site by subscribing to the mrscweb mailing list (listserv). Simply type: subscribe mrscweb your name in the body of the message, and press "send" (leave the subject line blank). You may have your name removed from the list at any time by following the directions in the welcome message you will receive after subscribing.
Unlike most listservs, mrscweb 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. If you have questions about this listserv, please contact Terri Sanders, MRSC Information Services Technician, at tsanders@mrsc.org.
Feedback
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