01-06-2016 30th District State LegislatorsThe City of Federal Way
Federal & State
Legislative Priorities
Public Health and Environment
The City of Federal Way will work with our congressional
and state legislative delegations to seek ways to mitigate the
environmental and public health impacts of commercial aircraft
coming and going from SeaTac airport over Federal Way. This
includes working with neighboring cities; teaming with our
legislators to pass a Joint Resolution or Legislative Memorial
to Congress; and to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
seeking solutions to the current flight patterns that are
negatively affecting the citizens of Federal Way.
Housing
Federal Way supports the elimination of the property tax
exemption for projects financed through the Housing Trust
Fund (HTF). This incentive is a tremendous burden to cities
and school districts as the HTF continues to fund massive
multi - family projects that create immediate and long lasting
impacts to public safety, community and school facilities.
The City of Federal Way encourages our legislative delegation
to direct the DSHS to devise a formula for a balanced
geographic distribution of licenses for group homes to avoid
clustering in select residential neighborhoods, straining
infrastructure and destabilizing the community environment.
Homelessness, Mental Health, and Drug Treatment
Federal Way recognizes the need for greater access to mental
health and substance abuse services. Federal Way is grateful to
the Legislature for its help in funding a regional hygiene day
shelter in our city. Together with the state, counties, and other
partners, we support developing strategies to 1
address housing shortages and homelessness
in cities of all sizes and locations.
The City of Federal Way requests our legislative delegation to
seek $50,000 in capital funding to help finance a Veterans'
Monument to be located in the Town Square Park. The
Monument will be a regional tribute honoring all �..
veterans and continues the city's long - standing
commitment to our veterans, reserve, guard and active i
duty personnel.
Economic Development
Tax Incentives
The City of Federal Way supports a proposal to allow a
property tax exemption for qualifying new construction in
targeted urban areas and urges our delegation to support this
legislation. This will allow cities to incentivize
new construction in certain designated areas,
recruit new businesses, and help create family
wage jobs in underdeveloped areas.
Infrastructure Improvements
Federal Way will seek funding for infrastructure
improvements in our Town Center, specifically along S 314th
& S 316th. These improvements will have a positive impact
on our redevelopment efforts and benefit both the Town
Center Project, Performing Arts & Event Center, as well as
the proposed hotel site. The City appreciates our legislative
delegations continued support in this effort.
Transportation
The City of Federal Way will work with our legislative
delegation to seek additional funding for improvements to the
I- 5 /SR -18 /SR -161 interchange. This will allow for enhanced
mobility and ease of access to Federal Way's economic centers.
The City will work to get additional
funding from the unallocated portions of
the recently approved gas tax.
A.%Public Records Reform
The City of Federal Way and other municipalities need additional
tools to resolve conflicts created by excessive public records
requests and requesters seeking voluminous, commercially
driven, or retaliatory requests. Such requests do not provide a
public benefit proportionate to the taxpayer dollars needed to
fulfill these demands. New tools should include the ability to
seek relief from abusive requests in court, and the authority to
charge a reasonable fee for electronic and commercial requests.
We also must address the impact new technology has
on public records requests.
Federal Way supports transparency in government
and will continue to seek new ways to meet
and enhance this commitment.
Steve McNey
Community Outreach & Government Relations Coordinator
Phone: 253.835.2413
Email: Steve.McNey @cityoffederaiway.com
Address: 33325 8th Ave. South, Federal Way, WA 98003
The City of Federal Way generally supports
the Association of Washington Cities
Legislative Priorities.
ASSOCIATION
OF WASHINGTON
CiTiES
See back for additional information.
ASSOCIATION
OF WASHINGTON
CiTiES
Legislative Session
City p
Washington's 281 cities and towns are where most residents live, learn, work, and play.
Working together, we need to make a concerted and assertive effort to ensure every
legislator knows that the state is only as strong as its cities and towns.
Infrastructure
Halt the diversion from critical infrastructure
programs to help cities grow and prosper
City infrastructure systems are a critical part of a larger
network that serves and benefits the entire state. Diversion
from programs that support basic local infrastructure means
that communities cannot affordably maintain and secure new
infrastructure. We need to reboot, and potentially reformulate
this partnership. The state's abandonment of these programs
cannot be the only option.
Fiscal Sustainability
Ensure sufficient and flexible revenue for
essential city services
The current method of funding city services is fundamentally
broken. Many available revenue options are either constricted,
restricted, or unpredictable. Cities need stable revenue
streams to provide essential services such as public safety,
infrastructure, and environmental protection to our growing
population.
Emergency Responsiveness
Help cities prepare for and address impacts of
natural disasters and other emergencies
As a result of recent experiences with devastating wildfires,
landslides, and other emergencies, cities need better ways to
address emergency management. Examples include greater
ability to coordinate response and enhance communication in
emergencies, and the authority to ban fireworks sales and use
during dangerous conditions.
Public Records
Strengthen the Public Records Act in response to
changing technology and burdensome requests
Cities support open and transparent government and
continue to seek the best ways to meet this commitment.
Unfortunately, there are a growing number of requestors who
monopolize resources with broad, voluminous, commercially -
driven, or retaliatory requests that do not provide a public
benefit proportionate to the taxpayer dollars needed to
fulfill these requests. Cities need additional tools to resolve
conflicts outside the courtroom and the authority to charge
a reasonable fee for electronic and commercial requests. We
also need to address the impact changing technology has on
public records.
Human Services, Homelessness
and Affordable Housing
Enhance the provision of much needed human
service programs to address issues that drive
increased homelessness and public safety costs
Cities believe that investment in the state's human services
network is necessary. Greater access to mental health and
substance abuse services is essential. Cities throughout the
state are grappling with affordable housing shortages and
homelessness. Together with the state, counties, and other
partners, we need to develop strategies to address housing
shortages and homelessness in cities of all sizes and locations.
Contact
Dave Williams
. Director of Government Relations
• davew @awcnet.org • 360.753.4137
Association of Washington Cities • 1076 Franklin St SE, Olympia, WA 98501 • 1.800.562.8981 • awcnet.org