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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3345 Resolution RESOLUTION NO. ;U� A RESOLUTION declaring the city's legislative priorities for the 2012 session of the Washington State Legislature. WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature conducts its annual legislative session during the first few months of each calendar year; and WHEREAS, the City of Pasco, as a municipal corporation and subdivision of the state, can be substantially affected by the actions of the legislature; and WHEREAS, over the past several years, the city has contracted with a legislative consultant to assist its effort to monitor and influence actions of the state legislature so as to minimize negative consequences of new legislation as well as to realize legislative action that will benefit the majority of Pasco citizens; and WHERAS, the City Council desires to identify its legislative priorities for the 2012 legislative session so they can be provided to state legislators prior to commencement of the next legislative session; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON, DO RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. That the legislative objectives stated herein below constitute the priorities of the City of Pasco for the 2012 legislative session. PRESERVE "STATE-SHARED REVENUES" FOR CITIES: Pasco receives more than one million dollars annually from the state, categorized as "state-shared revenues" (liquor excise tax, liquor board profit, nuclear generating tax, sales tax mitigation, city/county assistance, etc.). Given the increasing difficulty of the state in balancing its budget, these payments to cities may be in jeopardy during the 2012 session; their loss would jeopardize delivery of important local services. LEWIS STREET OVERPASS: The overpass project (which replaces a 1937 railroad underpass on a former state highway) is a major Council priority which will require federal and state funding, as the $30 million construction cost is simply beyond the financial capacity of local taxpayers. With prior aid from the state, the city has acquired all necessary right-of-way and completed design of the new structure and is now "shovel ready." The City must seek construction funding allocations from the state and federal governments to make this essential replacement project a reality. • GANG ACTIVITY: AWC is seeking legislative authorities for cities to combat gang activity in their communities as well as funding for gang intervention and prevention activities. Communities see the need for legislation to clarify that "gang houses" are a nuisance and can be abated,just as houses of prostitution are already defined as nuisances and can be abated. Doing so would remove the tenants from the house; thus, removing from the immediate neighborhood a serious threat to its viability and safety. BINDING ARBITRATION LAW: Under state law, police and fire personnel are guaranteed binding arbitration for wages and benefits(in lieu of the right to strike). While arbitration can be an appropriate form of contract resolution disputes, the current statutory language obligates the arbitrator to give paramount consideration to what "comparable departments" are paying, rather than the ability of the particular employer to absorb the additional cost. Police officers and firefighters collectively represent about half of total general fund expenditures; cost impositions beyond the city's fiscal capacity can have severe consequences on other important city services and, in some cases, may even hamper public safety. Modification of the arbitration statute to "level the field" would better balance the interests of uniformed employees with those of the taxpayer. PUBLIC RECORDS REFORM: Support reform to statutes governing public records requests. While the city recognizes the need for and benefits of transparency and accountability in government, all too often the right to obtain public records is abused and extraordinary public costs are absorbed by cities. Statutory reform is needed to: provide cost reimbursement; require "meet and confer" process to reduce abuse and avoid legal conflicts; as well as other reforms to assure public records requests are not used as harassment, ELECTION OF JUDGES- The Bureau for Judicial Administration's perennial effort to require that all judges (including part-time) be elected will again require involvement of cities. Appointed judges are equally qualified professionally and there is no compelling evidence that appointed judges are a threat to the administration of justice. In fact, requiring election of all judges would be very problematic for part-time courts, particularly in small and rural communities found throughout eastern Washington, Pasco should continue to join other cities to oppose mandatory election of municipal court judges. • MARIJUANA LAWS: The conflicting array of current federal and state laws regulating the possession and use of marijuana create very real confusion for citizens and potential liabilities as well for local governments. The state legislature should refine its marijuana laws so as to avoid conflict with federal law and/or indemnify local governments for compliance with conflicting state laws relating to marijuana. Section 2. The City Manager is hereby directed to inform state legislators and other appropriate parties of the city's 2012 legislative priorities. PA SED by the City Council of the City of Pasco at its regular meeting this day of V—t pvt 2011. Matt Watkins Mayor ATTEST: APPR AS TO FORM: De ra Clark Leland B. Kerr City Clerk City Attorney 2012 Legislative Priorities Page 2