MRSC FOCUS
Focus - July 2001
Note: Some of the information on this archival Web page may no longer be current.
Focus - July 2001
New Open Public Meetings Act Decision
The state court of appeals issued a decision on July 27 on the application of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) to members-elect of a governing body and to e-mail communications between members of a governing body. In Battle Ground School District v. Wood, the court determined that the OPMA does not by its terms expressly apply to members-elect of a governing body, and that it is up to the state legislature, not the courts, to decide that it does. The court also held that the OPMA can apply to the exchange of e-mail between governing body members if they intend to transact official business and discuss issues that may or will come before the body for a vote. (July 30)New County Revenue Guide Available
MRSC's newest publication, A Revenue Guide for Washington Counties (View this publication in HTML on the Web or View/Download this publication in Adobe Acrobat (Budget Suggestions for 2002 Is Now Available
Budget Suggestions for 2002 (Model Pipeline Ordinances Available
MRSC's model pipeline ordinances are now available for jurisdictions that have hazardous liquid or natural gas transmission pipelines. The model franchise ordinance was a collaborative effort, with much thanks going to Bellingham, Bellevue, and the Pipeline Consortium representatives for their assistance. (July 6)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)New MRSC Pubs
Read our latest MRSC Focus publications:- "Elections, Salaries, and Oaths, Oh My!" MRSC Focus, June 2001 (View
this publication in HTML on the Web or View/Download
this publication in Adobe Acrobat (
76kb))
- "Strategies for REconnecting Citizens and Government", MRSC Focus, June
2001 (View
this publication in HTML on the Web or View/Download
this publication in Adobe Acrobat (
91kb)) (July 2)
New Guidebook for Local Government Web Sites
The Center for Technology in Government's newest guidebook, Untangle the Web, offers lessons and advice for local governments looking to launch or renovate their Web sites. (July 2)Bellevue’s Downtown Plan Update
The City of Bellevue, in partnership with the Bellevue Downtown Association, is currently revising its Downtown Subarea Plan and updating its Downtown Implementation Plan. The two-year planning process utilizes a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) and includes significant opportunities for public comment. More on Bellevue’s Project Overview page. (July 2)Redmond Wins Grant to Bridge “Digital Divide”
The city of Redmond was awarded a $100,000 Urban Challenge grant from 3Com at a recent U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting. The Urban Challenge grant is aimed at bridging the national Digital Divide by helping cities to connect their communities and improve access to educational, health care, and other municipal resources. The city plans to use the money to bring high-speed Internet access and wireless capabilities to a local high school. More from the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Web site. (July 2)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)Census 2000 – Melting Pot Suburbs
A recent Center on Urban & Metropolitan Policy report, Melting Pot Suburbs: A Census 2000 Study of Suburban Diversity, (Electronic Records Access Program Guidebook
The growing demand for information to be available in electronic form and for direct access to these electronic records is changing the design and management of records access programs. Programs are becoming increasingly focused on electronic records as the format desired by users. The Center for Technology in Government’s Opening Gateways – A Practical Guide to Designing Electronic Records Access Programs (Watch Your Car Anti-theft Program
"Watch your car" is a new national vehicle theft prevention program funded by federal government and administered locally by the Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). The voluntary vehicle registration program is designed to deter auto theft and assist in the apprehension of thieves. Several Washington cities are participating. More from WASPC’s Web site. (July 2)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 (Inquiry of the Week
This week's "Inquiry of the Week":[Previous inquiries of the week]
Web Sightings – Trails
This month we're highlighting sites on trails, including rails-to-trails, and pedestrian and bicycling information:- Rails to Trails Conservancy – Comprehensive site of nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a nationwide network of public trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors
- Trail Link - Listing of trails by location, keyword or activity. Includes Trails and Greenways Clearinghouse for technical assistance, information resources and referrals.
- National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse - Information service on transportation enhancements, including pedestrian and bicycle facilities and safety.
- Washington State Department of Transportation Pedestrians Page - Information on policy, regulations, funding, research resources, and trails.
- Chainguard Transportation Resources – Includes bicycle plans, reference materials, and practical information on transportational cycling (Sponsored by Chainguard, an advocacy organization for bicycling)
- Bike Plan Source - Online bicycle
planning and program guide by Tracy-Williams Consulting
(July 2)
Washington City/County History Quiz
This city’s started out as a trading post established in the 1870s to supply the needs of the settlers who had begun arriving in the 1860s. In those days it was widely known as "Robbers Roost," a reference to the business practices of an early trader who operated the town store. When the railroad arrived in 1886, the centrally-located city had high hopes of being named as the capitol for the new state of Washington. Unfortunately, on July 4th, 1889, a major fire destroyed the city's business district and many homes. Although the city was quickly rEconstructed (out of brick), Olympia was chosen to be the capitol city. You can still see the beautiful brick buildings built in 1889 in this city's historic downtown. What city is it? And the answer is ~drum roll~ ... (July 2)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.

