City Council

December 10, 2016 NOTICE LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING WITH STATE LEGISLATORS Notice is hereby given that the Lakewood City Council will be meeting with State legislators on Wednesday, December 14, 2016. The meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., at Lakewood City Hall, City Council Chambers, 6000 Main Street SW, Lakewood, Washington. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the 2017-2019 State Legislative Agenda and Legislative Policy Manual. Alice M. Bush, MMC City Clerk  LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND STATE LEGISLATORS AGENDA Wednesday, December 14, 2016 6:00 P.M. City of Lakewood Council Chambers 6000 Main Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499 Page No. Call to Order (3) Review of the 2017-2019 State Legislative Agenda and Legislative Policy Manual Adjournment The Council Chambers is accessible to persons with disabilities. Persons requesting special accommodations or language interpreters should contact the City Clerk’s Office, 589-2489, as soon as possible in advance of the Council meeting so that an attempt to provide the special accommodations can be made. http://www.cityoflakewood.us City Hall will be closed 15 minutes after adjournment of the meeting.  CITY OF L AKE W OOD, W AS HINGTON 2017-2019 Biennial Legislative Agenda The City of Lakewood adopts a biennial legislative agenda. Thanks to the efforts of the City’s legislative delegation, the City has accomplished a great deal over the past several legislative sessions. At the same time, there is more to do to keep Lakewood moving into the future. Fort Steilacoom Park: Transfer Ownership Fort Steilacoom Park is currently owned by the state (DSHS), and leased to the City of Lakewood. As the primary caretaker of the park, the city has invested $10.9 million in improvements to the park. Pierce College leases DSHS-owned land adjacent to the park. Both the City and Pierce College request that the Legislature authorize the transfer of ownership from the State to the City and College. Increased & Permanent Funding for the Western State Hospital Community Policing Program Since 2007 the City of Lakewood has operated a highly effective neighborhood policing team to respond to hundreds of calls for police service at Western State Hospital. The City requests full and permanent funding for this program: roughly $621,000 per biennium. Current funding level is $462,000 per biennium, causing the City to subsidize the program with $159,000. Lakewood also receives $90,000 per biennium to provide basic police services to Western State Hospital. Capital Funding Request: Fort Steilacoom Park improvements Fort Steilacoom Park accommodates over 1 million visitors each year. The combination of aging infrastructure and high volumes of use require that the city improve the park’s utilities and roads. Lakewood requests $1.45 million to extend water, sewer and electric utilities to building structures in the park and to improve the main road into the park. Capital Funding Request: Motor Avenue Complete Streets Project The City of Lakewood has started designing a Complete Streets Project in the Central Business District on Motor Avenue. The Motor Avenue project will create a destination gathering place for its residents and visitors a by creating an attractive, pedestrian-friendly place in the city, that fosters mixed use development. Lakewood requests $2.2 million to make road improvements, underground utilities, and improve pedestrian access. Support for WSDOT Funding Request: Relocation of WSDOT Maintenance Facility in Lakewood Lakewood supports funding of $19.6 million to relocate the WSDOT Maintenance Facility currently located in Lakewood on Pacific Highway South. The relocation of this facility is critical in supporting the City’s economic development goals. Lakewood has identified a comparable location that would allow for easy access to I-5, creating a win-win for both the City and for Washington State. Contact Information: John J. Caulfield, City Manager 6000 Main Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499 253-983-7703 jcaulfield@cityoflakewood.us Briahna Murray, Vice President Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs Adopted by City Council 253- 310-5477 October 24, 2016 bmurray@gth-gov.com 003  Local Project Information Fort Steilacoom Park Property Transfer Project Description: Fort Steilacoom Park is an important public facility in the South Sound region. This 500 acre property is comprised of several parcels, all of which are currently owned by the State. The City has been responsible for the property for many years, most recently through an assumed lease. Even prior to that, since incorporation in 1996, the City of Lakewood has invested time and money in managing, maintaining and making significant capital improvements to this historic and regional park. The City will continue to provide a well maintained park which serves visitors from throughout the Pacific Northwest with active and passive areas, including; off-leash dog park, historic cemetery, natural open space areas, playgrounds, organized sports fields and trail system. Plans for the future of the park are detailed in various planning documents as well as the City’s strategic “Legacy Plan”, six year capital improvement plan and current biennial budget. The City’s investment at this site, to date, is $10.9 million. The property includes multiple liabilities that the City willingly plans to assume when the transfer is complete. Recognizing the costs associated with these liabilities, the City may request future state funds through capital funding and grant programs. The proposed budget proviso language is: By June 30, 2018, the Department of Social and Health Services shall transfer deed of the 484 acre property commonly known as the Fort Steilacoom Parcel to the City of Lakewood and Pierce College. Each receiving party shall receive the land covered by their current leases. When the deed is transferred to the City of Lakewood and Pierce College, the current leases expire. The transfer must be at no cost to the city or college. The City of Lakewood shall continue to maintain and operate its land as a park. The property includes multiple liabilities that the City willingly plans to assume when the transfer is complete. Recognizing the costs associated with these liabilities, the City may request future state funds through capital funding and grant programs. Western State Hospital Ball Fields Play & Picnic Area Off-Leash Dog Park Cemetery & Pierce College Barns Waughop Lake 004 Year Improvement Cost Estimate 2017 Pavilion in the Park/ Outdoor stage $800,000 2018 Waughop Lake Water Quality Improvements $20,000 - $5 million 2019 Sport Field Lights $1,200,000 2020 Park Entrance Improvements / Traffic Circle $1,400,000 2021 Historic Barn Restoration includes restroom facility $2,000,000 John J. Caulfield, City Manager Mary Dodsworth, Parks, Recreation and Briahna Murray, Vice President City of Lakewood Community Services Director Gordon Thomas Honeywell Government 253.983.7703 City of Lakewood Affairs jcaulfield@cityoflakewood.us 253.983.7887 253.310.5477 mdodsworth@cityoflakewood.us bmurray@gth-gov.com 005  FSP Improvements Year Description Price Comments 2001 Barn Roofs / Cemetary Fence $150,000 Partnered with Pierce County 2005 Ballfield Ugrades $2,200,000 Partnered with Pierce County 2005 Restroom by Ballfields $150,000 Partnered with Pierce County and Partners for Parks 2005 Playground $250,000 Partnered with Lakewood Rotary Club and Community 2001-2008 Park Maintenance $750,000 City contributionsto offset PC costs 2006 Hillward Demo and Development $800,000 Partnered with Pierce County and State of Washington 2006 Large Shelter $60,000 Partnered with Lakewood Rotary Club 2007 O&M Shop $375,000 City contributions 2007 Playground Upgrades $60,000 Community Donation 2007 Playground Restrooms $220,000 Partnered with Partners for Parks 2007 Small Shelter $30,000 Partnered with Clover Park Rotary 2007 Dog Park Upgrades, Shelters, Benches, Path, Agility $75,000 Partnered with Steilacoom and Protect our Pets 2007 Irregation, Turf Restoration by Playground, Shelters $15,000 City contributions 2014 Waughop Water Quality Survey $200,000 DOE Grant 2016 Parks WiFi $55,000 City contributions 2016 Waughop Lake Trail $500,000 Partnered with Partners for Parks 2016 Barn Removal $85,000 City Contribution 2016 Parking Lot (Waughop Lake Trail) $310,000 Partnered with State of Washington 2016-17 O&M Shop Upgrades (LEED lights, HVAC, parking lot) $75,000 City contributions 2016 -2017 Sport Field Improvements $500,000 RCO / City contribution 2008-2016 Annual Maintenance $4,000,000 City contributions Total 10,860,000 Upcoming Projects 006  Western State Hospital Community Policing Program The City of Lakewood requests that funding for the highly successful Community Policing Program at Western State Hospital be made permanent and set at a level that fully covers the cost of these services. Since 2007, the City has operated a highly effective community policing program that provides dedicated police personnel whose specific duties are to provide response, reporting, and investigative services above and beyond the basic patrol response; creating a safer environment for Western State Hospital and the surrounding neighborhoods. Since 2007, the state operating budget has included $462,000 to fund the program; however, despite increasing costs, inflation, and a growing WSH population, this funding amount has never been adjusted. The Community Policing Program currently costs the City $621,297. The City is subsidizing $159k of this program - this number is increasing each year. The City requests that the state make this funding permanent and cover the full cost of the program. The Community Policing Program significantly and positively affects the real and perceived protection of Western State Hospital and the surrounding communities. Since 2007, the Community Policing Program has resulted in a 40% reduction in calls for police services from Western State Hospital and a positive relationship between hospital staff, police, and the community. The continuing success of the program relies on permanent state funding that fully funds the program. The Western State Hospital Community Policing Cost of Program Program provides: (FY 2017-19)  .75 FTE Neighborhood Police Officer (NPO) Current cost of the program: $621,297  1 FTE Investigator  .5 FTE Community Service Officer (CSO) *Previous Funding Amount: $462,000* In pursuing permanent funding for the Community Policing Program, the city would like to advance comprehensive legislation that also includes the following:  Clarify Funding Calculation and Source for Basic Police Services at Western State Hospital The City of Lakewood receives $90k/biennium to provide basic police services to Western State Hospital. West Pierce Fire also receives funding for basic fire and EMS services. The origin of this funding is unclear and inconsistent. The City supports simplification of how these funds are calculated and distributed to the City and West Pierce Fire.  Funding for Basic Police Services at Eastern State Hospital Eastern State Hospital is located in the City of Medical Lake. Comprehensive legislation should fund Medical Lake’s provision of basic police services at Eastern State Hospital. John J. Caulfield, City Manager Mike Zaro, Police Chief Briahna Murray, Vice President City of Lakewood City of Lakewood Gordon Thomas Honeywell - GA 253.983.7703 253.830.5001 253.310.5477 jcaulfield@cityoflakewood.us mzaro@cityoflakewood.us bmurray@gth-gov.com 007  DRAFT Proposed Legislation on Permanent Full Funding for Lakewood & Medical Lake to Provide Services to Western State Hospital & Eastern State Hospital AN ACT Relating to community safety at eastern and western state hospital; and adding a new section to chapter 72.23 RCW. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON: NEW SECTION. Sec 1. The Legislature recognizes that the cities where eastern and western state hospitals are located provide vital services to the hospital to maintain patient and community safety. In particular, the Legislature recognizes that the Community Policing Program at Western State Hospital facilitates a safer community and increased communication between the hospital and the community. The Legislature also recognizes that state hospitals are exempt from paying property taxes to support these services. Historically, when funded, these services have been funded through individual budget provisos directing state funding to the cities. The Legislature recognizes that this budgeting approach is an unreliable and inconsistent manner in which to fund public and community safety services. Therefore, it is the Legislature’s intent to establish a permanent funding mechanism for these services by directing the eastern and western state hospitals to enter into contracts with the cities in which they are located. NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 72.23RCW to read as follows: (1) Western state hospital shall enter into a contract with the city in which it is located for the provision of community policing services at the hospital and in the surrounding areas. (2) For the purposes of this section, community policing services includes, but is not limited to, dedicated police personnel whose specific duties are to provide response, reporting, and investigative services above and beyond the basic patrol response, to proactively address public safety issues at the hospital through interaction with the public about incidents relating to the state hospital, to investigate complaints of patient and staff-related incidents, and to conduct training for hospital staff. (3) Beginning in fiscal biennium 2017-2019, the contract described in subsection (1) of this section must be no less than $621,297. In each subsequent fiscal biennium, the hospital shall make adjustments for inflation. (4) The city shall not bond the revenue allocated in the contract outlined in this section. NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 72.23 RCW to read p. 1 008  as follows: (1) Western state hospital and eastern state hospital shall each enter into a contract with the city where the respective hospitals are located to compensate the city for providing public safety services, including but not limited to 9-1-1 response service and police calls. (2) Beginning in fiscal biennium 2017-19, each contract described in subsection (1) of this section shall be equal to eighteen cents per square foot of the respective state hospital. In each subsequent fiscal biennium, the hospital shall make adjustments for any changes in square footage. (3) The cities may not bond the revenue allocated in the contracts outlined in this section. p. 2 009  Local Project Information Fort Steilacoom Park Improvements Project Description: Fort Steilacoom Park accommodates over 1 million visitors each year. Over the years the City has made significant investments and improvements totaling $10.9 million to this State owned property. The combination of past uses, aging infrastructure and high volumes of use requires that the City invest in improving the utilities and roads at this site. Lakewood requests $1.45 million to extend water, sewer and electric utilities to building structures, including the historic barn buildings in the park and to improve the main road. Project Elements Project Description Cost Utilities Water $150,000 Sewer $430,000 Electricity $100,000 Fiber $20,000 Road Engineering and repaving the main road $650,000 Stormwater Environmental impacts to road and regulatory process $100,000 Total $1.45 million John J. Caulfield, City Manager Mary Dodsworth, Parks, Recreation and Briahna Murray, Vice President City of Lakewood Community Services Director Gordon Thomas Honeywell Government 253.983.7703 City of Lakewood Affairs jcaulfield@cityoflakewood.us 253.983.7887 253.310.5477 mdodsworth@cityoflakewood.us bmurray@gth-gov.com 010  Local Project Information Motor Avenue Complete Streets Project Project Cost: $2.2 Million Project Description: The City of Lakewood has started the design process for a Complete Streets Project in the Central Business District on Motor Avenue between Whitman Avenue SW, and the intersection of Gravelly Lake Drive SW and Bridgeport Way SW. The Motor Avenue project leads to the creation of a vibrant and welcoming public gathering space with a park-like atmosphere. The Motor Avenue project has been shaped by public input. To date the City has received input and support from many residents, business owners, and other community leaders. The project has also been featured in a variety of local media coverage. In addition to igniting a community, the project has also sparked new economic development. In anticipation of this project, the historic Colonial Center adjacent to Motor Avenue is being partially remodeled, and several bids have been placed on a long-term vacant property adjacent to the project site. Throughout Lakewood’s history, the beautiful theatre and high end dining located at the Colonial center served as focal points of the area and provided a central gathering space for the community. Today, some storefronts in the colonial center are vacant and the theatre is no longer operable. With this project, the City of Lakewood envisions reestablishing a destination gathering place for its residents and visitors a by creating an attractive, pedestrian-friendly place in the city, that fosters mixed use development. Project Costs Project Design $250,000 Incidental Construction $182,000 Transportation Improvements $451,300 Utility Construction $351,000 Non-Motorized Improvements $448,800 Market Structure & Landscaping $230,000 Construction Management $180,000 Subtotal $2,093,100 Contingency (5%) $83,000 Total Project Cost $2,176,100 John J. Caulfield, City Manager Courtney Casady, Assistant to the City Manager Briahna Murray, Vice President City of Lakewood City of Lakewood Gordon Thomas Honeywell 253.983.7703 253.983.7839 Government Affairs jcaulfield@cityoflakewood.us ccasady@cityoflakewood.us 253.310.5477 bmurray@gth-gov.com 011  WSDOT PROPERTY IN LAKEWOOD: ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF RELOCATION Local project information November 2016 Project Overview The City of Lakewood (City) is in discussion with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) regarding a win-win proposal to relocate a WDOT facility top open up economic development growth within the City, and to provide WSDOT with a site that strengthens accessibility to their service area. The project site is currently being used for industrial purposes, as a WSDOT maintenance site. This is not the highest and best use for the site. The site’s prime I-5 frontage, heavy daily traffic loads (average daily traffic count of 282,000 vehicles), and proximity to the Lakewood Sounder Station make it particularly suited for transit-oriented retail development. Redevelopment would only be possible if the WSDOT maintenance site is relocated. Potential sites have been identified nearby. Regional Context Site Location The Project Site is located along Pacific Highway, to the west side of I-5 south of the intersection of SR 512. The existing site is 25.04 acres. Existing buildings on the site are 213,965 s.f. with a floor-to-area ratio (FAR) of 0.20, which is below the site’s realistic potential. Multiple Benefits of Relocation Win-Win Benefits for WSDOT and WA State • One proposed site is 16% larger than the current facility, Initial estimate of annual though can be located on a smaller footprint. benefits* with mid-level retail • New facilities operate more efficiently than older facilities. Upgrades may result in WSDOT having reduced utility scenario: costs and reduced ongoing building costs. $4.5 - 9.5 million WA State • WSDOT will be able to design a maintenance facility from scratch that is optimized for their current operations and $700K - 1.4 million Lakewood vehicle fleet. They can “right size” the building. Benefits for the Community of Lakewood $350 - 800K Pierce Transit • Supports city’s economic development goals. • Compliments existing retail. $175 - 275K Pierce County Pierce County • Reduce unemployment by providing local employment $25,000 Library opportunities. Benefits for Other Jurisdictions $10,000 Port of Tacoma • Increases retail sales tax and property tax revenues for (*Annual revenue estimates include sales tax, multiple jurisdicitons. property tax, B&O tax, and utlity tax.) 012 Analysis Completed Cost Estimate to Relocate WSDOT Facility Construction $15.2 million 1. Explored costs and potential sites for Site mitigation $1.7 million WSDOT relocation Demolition, Site Cleanup $1.0 million In 2014, the City studied and assessed the potential Consultation services $916,000 costs associated with relocation. Significant costs Project management $596,000 include current site environmental clean-up and Equipment $273,000 demolition, new site acquisition, and new facility Property Acquisition $4.0 million construction. Less Sale of Current Property ($4.1 million) 2. Examined different redevelopment Total Costs $19.6 million scenarios In 2015, the City studied fiscal impacts and costs Comparable Retail Examples for different development scenarios to the City and other public agencies. Lakewood hopes to bring in an attractive, large anchor retail store to the site, as well as some restaurants or other small retail which would get drivers off the freeway and into Lakewood. Scenario 1: High-End Retail. Development similar to the Tukwila Nordstrom Rack and Kohl’s retail site. Scenario 2: Mid-Level Retail. This scenario was modeled Mid-level retail anchor examples. on the Marysville Kohl’s Retail Mix, anchored by a Kohl’s Department Store and a WinCo Grocery. Other retailers include a Ross Dress for Less. Scenario 3: Outlet with Grocery. A similar example is the North Bend Outlet Mall with a significant collection of outlet retail stores. Scenario 4: Outlet Mall. This scenario was modeled on the Centralia Outlet Mall, which has a smaller collection of outlet Outlet mall and traditional shopping mall. retail stores. Steps Forward Determine WSDOT capactiy needs and relocate the maintenance facility. Lakewood has determined a few potential sites for the relocation of the WSDOT maintenance facility. A capacity analysis should also be conducted to determine WSDOT’s needs prior to relocating the maintenance facility. Determine the land assembly process. The City will begin talking with property owners at the current site, as the proposal would necessitate that WSDOT as well as multiple other owners sell their land to a developer. The City will begin conversations to determine owners’ willingness to sell. Contact For more information about the project, please contact: John J. Caulfield, City Manager Briahna Murray, Vice President City of Lakewood Gordon Thomas Honeywell Government Affairs 253-983-7703 jcaulfield@cityoflakewood.us 253-310-5477 bmurray@gth-gov.com 013  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 24, 2016 ___________________________________________________________________________ COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORTATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE I-5 JBLM Corridor The I-5 JBLM corridor is fully funded in the transportation revenue package adopted by the Legislature. The City is currently working with WSDOT to ensure timely progress of the project. The City will continue to advocate for any appropriations or policy changes needed to advance the project in the best interests of our community and region. Economic Development Tools The City supports programs that may be developed to assist local governments in improvement of neighborhood residential and commercial area rehabilitation, through tax incentives, grants, loans and other programs. The City also supports legislation that provides economic development tools that the City may use if it so chooses. This legislation includes, but is not limited to: the multi-family housing tax incentive, tax increment financing, lodging tax, the Main Street Act (a series of small tax incentives for neighborhood business districts), complete streets grant program, community facility financing, shared state revenue for construction of convention and special event centers, additional shared state revenue for urban renewal and other public facility improvements, and innovative approaches to property tax assessment that reduces the current incentive to allow property to remain blighted. Annexation The City believes that annexation laws should encourage the logical development and expansion of the City to provide for a healthy and growing local economy and efficient services. The law should also facilitate and ease the annexation of unincorporated islands adjacent to City limits. The City supports legislation that will further modify state annexation laws to reduce the administrative process of annexation and further encourage and incentivize annexation of existing unincorporated islands. Boundary Review Board Boundary Review Boards are a quasi-judicial administrative body empowered to make decisions on such issues as incorporations, annexations, extensions of utilities, etc. by cities, towns, and special purpose districts. These Boards can approve, deny, or modify a proposal. Decisions are appealable to the Pierce County Superior Court. Because most issues are appealed to the Superior Court the City of Lakewood believes the Boundary Review Boards are duplicative and supports legislation that results in their elimination. Local Authority for Land Use & Planning Local governments must maintain final decision making authority on local zoning, land use, and planning, including local zoning and regulation of house-banked card rooms, homeless shelters, mobile home parks and other businesses. Specifically, the City opposes any effort by either the State Legislature or Congress to preempt local land use or taxation authority. Infrastructure Funding Local agencies, including the City of Lakewood, lack resources for infrastructure funding. As a result, city roads remain in disrepair; general fund dollars are taken from other important services to repair roads; or a combination thereof. Given that the Public Works Assistance Account has been discontinued, the city supports the state developing new infrastructure funding programs that are viable in the current political climate. 1 014  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 24, 2016 ___________________________________________________________________________ Parks & Recreation The City of Lakewood is in need of state assistance to improve, maintain and expand its local park system and the open space areas of the City. The City supports ongoing funding for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) and the Youth Athletic Fund (YAF). If the WWRP program is funded at the $85 million level, the City will receive $600,000 for the Harry Todd Waterfront Improvement Project. An Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) grant for Harry Todd Park improvements in the amount of $500,000 is also pending legislative approval. If the YAF fund is fully funded at $12 million, the City will have the chance to compete for these funds in a competitive grant process. The grant allows for renovation of existing facilities. Limiting Additional Freight on Point Defiance Bypass (Lakeview Rail Line) The City opposes increased freight traffic along this corridor that is above and beyond the activity already in place and does not have a destination point within Lakewood. With the opening of the Point Defiance Bypass project in support of AMTRAK passenger rail coupled with increasing demands on freight rail, there is concern that the Point Defiance Bypass project could eventually lead to carrying increased freight traffic in addition to new passenger rail. FINANCE State-Shared Revenues Lakewood supports maintaining funding for state-shared revenues. Additionally, the City opposes any cuts to state-funded programs that would negatively impact the city’s ability to deliver services to its citizens. Fiscal Home Rule (alternative to State-Shared Revenues) The City recognizes that it is increasingly difficult for the state to continue its historic role of providing state-shared revenues to the local level. The City will evaluate fiscal home rule proposals as they are introduced. General Fund Revenue The City supports legislation that will increase, expand, or favorably restructure its revenue-raising ability. In consideration of the continued growth in demand for services that exceed revenue growth and inflation, the City supports the following revenue options:  Give local governments increased local option flexibility in all areas of taxing authority.  Eliminate remaining non-supplanting language and restrictions on use of certain revenues in local option tax authority. This language excessively limits City Council discretion regarding funding priorities. City Financial Liability for Indigent Defense The City supports state funding for Indigent Defense in order to ensure consistent and adequate funding throughout the State. Requiring cities to bear the cost of this state mandate is inequitable. Unfunded Mandates & Other State & Federal Budget Impacts Mandates from the Federal and State governments are rarely accompanied with adequate new revenues or taxing authority, but instead force the City to reduce funding levels for other services. The City opposes efforts by the State Legislature to balance budgets by shifting responsibilities to cities. 2 015  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 24, 2016 ___________________________________________________________________________ PUBLIC SAFETY Authority to Appoint Municipal Court Judges The City supports cities’ ability to appoint a municipal court judge and to maintain courts and supports further technical and financial assistance for the administration of municipal courts. Traffic Enforcement Cameras The Legislature has authorized local government to use traffic enforcement cameras in limited situations, including red light enforcement at certain intersections and speed control in school zones. Traffic enforcement cameras have proven to be a success in reducing instances of speeding and violation of traffic signals. The City supports the use of traffic enforcement cameras. The City also supports legislation allowing images from traffic enforcement cameras to be used by law enforcement in criminal cases if there is probable cause. Police Body Cameras Advancements in technology now enable law enforcement agencies to equip their police officers with body-worn cameras. However, current state laws around public disclosure impede the use of this technology. The City supports legislation that removes barriers to the use of police body cameras. Increased & Permanent Funding for the Western State Hospital Community Policing Program Since 2007 the City has operated a highly effective neighborhood policing team to respond to hundreds of calls for police service at Western State Hospital. The City of Lakewood requests permanent funding for this program at a level that covers the full cost of the program. City Financial Liability for Offender Medical Costs The City supports proposals to change the current practice of charging cities for inmate medical costs. The concern is that private insurance companies are refusing to cover treatment for an injury that occurred during the commission of a crime. The practice of charging cities for the medical cost of inmates is a subsidy for jails, hospitals, Medicaid and insurers using tax money intended for local revenue. Full Funding of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) The City supports full funding of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy which is the sole training program for police departments across the state. With an increasing number of law enforcement officers retiring, it is imperative this program receive adequate funding to provide ample training slots for new hires. The current wait for a training class is more than six months, which results in jurisdictions paying the salaries of officers who cannot begin work. Jail & Court Costs The City supports legislative proposals that reduce jail and court costs, and maintain the City’s flexibility in providing jail and court services. The City supports additional funding for local grants through the Office of Public Defense, and clarifying local authority to set standards for public defenders. The City also supports maintaining the flexibility to select the most appropriate manner in which to provide jail services. Release of Offenders to County of Origin The City supports full implementation of legislation that expanded Department of Correction’s “county of origin” policy that sends offenders back to their county of origin upon release, to also include offenders released from the Special Commitment Center operated by the Department of Social and Health Services. 3 016  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 24, 2016 ___________________________________________________________________________ Mental Illness The City supports state action to increase mental health services throughout the state. Increased mental health funding is needed to address the requirements of Trueblood v. Washington State DSHS, and meet a growing demand across the state. GENERAL GOVERNMENT McCleary Decision The City encourages the state to satisfy the McCleary Supreme Court decision, and develop a plan on how to fully fund education by 2018. In doing so, the City requests that the Legislature recognize quality schools also need to be located in quality communities. As such, fully funding education should not be done at the expense of funding allocated to local governments. Public Records & Open Meetings The City respects the right of the public to have access to legitimate public records and documents. The City believes its ability to recover the costs of searching for, gathering and reviewing requested documents is also in the public’s interest. The City supports reasonable reforms to the public records act. The City opposes requiring the recording of executive sessions or other restrictions on legitimate uses of executive sessions. HOUSING Adult Family Homes (AFHs) The City supports legislation that harmonizes Adult Family Homes to the degree possible with the residential zoning which currently allows them. These facilities should maintain numbers of occupants consistent with their residential setting and these facilities should be dispersed to prevent unintended de facto “social services zones” when it is in the best interest of both the service provider and the City to preserve the residential nature of the City’s neighborhoods. The City supports density limitations to this use in residential zones with regard to both numbers of occupants per facility and number of facilities per zone. Regulating Enhanced Service Facilities (ESFs) The City encourages the state to recognize ESFs as an institutional use and remove language which allows an Adult Family Home (AFH) to convert to this use. The population that qualifies for residence in an ESF would otherwise be institutionalized and is not appropriate for residential zones. Language that allows AFH to convert to ESF suggests that these distinctly different types of housing are comparable when they serve contradictory populations, AFH serving predominantly vulnerable individuals and ESF serving almost exclusively individuals who present a threat. The City supports legislation that keeps institutional populations in zones which accommodate commercial or industrial uses. Quality Affordable Housing The City supports enhancement of the provision of much needed human service programs to address issues that drive increased homelessness and public safety costs. The City supports legislation that incentivizes developers to build affordable housing. The City supports a $200M investment in the Housing Trust Fund. The Homelessness Housing and Assistance Act provides funding to homeless services (shelters, rapid rehousing, move-in assistance etc.) through a document recording fee. Thirty dollars of the fifty-eight dollar fee collected is scheduled to sunset in 2019. The City supports retaining the document recording fee. 4 017  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 24, 2016 ___________________________________________________________________________ Additionally, the City supports legislation to stop all predatory home lending practices with particular attention to the common predatory lending practices in mobile home ownership. The City supports enforcement of state law to ensure all home renting practices are in compliance with existing regulations. MILITARY AFFAIRS South Sound Military & Communities Partnership (SSMCP) & Joint Base Lewis McChord The City is a strong partner with Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) and a founding member of the South Sound Military Communities Partnership (SSMCP). JBLM is an employment hub for the City of Lakewood, and Lakewood has the 3rd largest city population of active duty service members in the greater Pierce and Thurston Counties region. SSMCP’s mission is to foster communication, understanding and mutual benefit by serving as the most effective point of coordination for resolution of those issues which transcend the specific interests of the military and civilian communities of the South Sound region. Its membership includes Pierce and Thurston County local governments, JBLM and the WA Military Department, and economic development, social services, health care, educational, transportation, and military support organizations. Current SSMCP priorities include expanding missions at JBLM and thus spurring local economic development off base; workforce transition; active duty, military family and veteran awareness of health care and social service availability; and increasing state level support of military presence in Washington. The City of Lakewood supports the ongoing efforts of SSMCP and policy decisions that assist JBLM and its mission. The City also believes in a strong commitment from the State in support of military affairs, such as maintaining the Governor’s Subcabinet on Military Downsizing; strengthening financial, legislative and political support for the military presence in Washington in anticipation of future force restructuring or defense contract reductions due to sequestration, Department of Defense budget reductions, and/or base realignment and closure (BRAC) rounds; continuing to support the Washington Military Alliance (WMA), and providing financial assistance for local military advocacy agencies such as Forward Fairchild, the Puget Sound Naval Bases Association, Rally Point 6, and SSMCP. SSMCP Legislative Agenda  Resolve Encroachment in the JBLM North Clear Zone (NCZ)  Fund Transportation Blueprint for South Puget Sound  Strengthen State Involvement in Military Affairs  Direct Compliance with the REAL ID Act 5 018  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL: REFERENCE City Financial Liability for Indigent Defense Indigent Defense 2014 2015 2016 (budgeted) 2017 (budgeted) 2018 (budgeted) $463,501 $457,636 $550,000 $598,800 $608,800 Jail Services 2014 2015 2016 (budgeted) 2017 (budgeted) 2018 (budgeted) $693,896 $700,814 $624,240 $624,240 $624,240 Prosecution Services 2014 2015 2016 (budgeted) 2017 (budgeted) 2018 (budgeted) N/A $101,210 $130,000 $130,000 $130,000 Full Funding of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) BLEA sessions offered per year 20 Price per BLEA attendee $3,500 Lakewood BLEA 2017 2018 2019 2020 budget estimate 4 recruits 4 recruits 4 recruits 4 recruits $14,000 $14,000 $14,000 $14,000 019