HomeMy WebLinkAbout3439 Resolution RESOLUTION NO. - / L' I
A RESOLUTION declaring the city's legislative priorities for the 2013
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 2013
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 2013 legislative session.
• PRESERVE "STATE-SHARED REVENUES" FOR CITIES: Pasco receives nearly one million
dollars annually from the state, categorized as "state-shared revenues" (liquor excise tax,
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 2013 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 $27 million construction cost is simply beyond the financial capacity of local
taxpayers. With prior aid from the state, the city has completed right-of-way acquisition and
design of the new structure; the project 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 as well as potential
liabilities for local governments. The state should refine its marijuana laws so as to avoid
conflict with federal law and/or indemnify local governments for compliance with conflicting
state and federal laws relating to marijuana.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby directed to inform state legislators and other
appropriate parties of the City's 2013 legislative priorities.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco at its regular meeting this 5th day of
November, 2012.
Matt Watkins
Mayor
ATTEST: \, APP OVED AS TO FORM:
to,
Debra Clark
Leland B! Kerr
City Clerk City Attorney
2013 Legislative Priorities
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