City Council

November 13, 2017 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 Thursday, November 16, 2017. 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 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 Thursday, November 16, 2017 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 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 Amended for the 2018 Session 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. Pass a Final 17-19 Capital Budget Fort Steilacoom Park: Transfer Ownership Both the City and Pierce College request that the Legislature authorize the transfer of ownership of Fort Steilacoom Park from the State to the City and College. Budget proviso language authorizing this transfer has been included in every 17-19 Capital Budget proposal released to date. The City urges the Legislature to adopt a final 17-19 Capital Budget that includes this proviso language. WWRP Funding: Harry Todd Waterfront Improvements The City of Lakewood urges the Legislature to adopt a final 17-19 Capital Budget that invests in the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Grant Program and allocates $476,000 to Harry Todd Waterfront Improvements. Military Benefit Zone The City supports legislation that provides military communities with financing tools to support economic development around Joint Base Lewis McChord. Encouraging military communities to develop housing, retail, restaurants, and community amenities will reduce traffic congestion on I-5 by shortening commutes, and increase the quality of life for military personnel and families. Expedite Funding to Lake City Business District Project The City of Lakewood is scheduled to receive $270,000 in 2025 and $1.73 million in 2027 for sidewalk construction in the Lake City Business District through the Connecting WA package. The City requests that the funding be expedited to align with the construction schedule of another sidewalk project along the same road that has time-limited funds that must be obligated by 2020. The advancement of the state funds will minimize construction impacts on businesses and residences. Spur Economic Development on Pacific Highway South Lakewood requests the state’s partnership in developing the 25 acres of property along Pacific Highway South, to include the current location of WSDOT maintenance facility. This area is prime real estate for development that could result in significant increased sales tax revenue for the state, county and city. Capital Funding Request: Fort Steilacoom Regional 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. The City has invested $11.5 million into park improvements since 2005. Lakewood requests $600,000 to extend water, sewer and electric utilities to building structures in the park. Capital Funding Request: Lakewood Colonial Plaza The City of Lakewood has started designing a vibrant and welcoming public gathering space near the Colonial Center on Motor Avenue. The Colonial Center Redevelopment project has been shaped by public input and is supported by residents, business owners and community leaders. Lakewood requests $1.6 million to make road improvements, underground utilities, and improve pedestrian access. Contact Information: John J. Caulfield, City Manager Briahna Murray, Vice President 6000 Main Street SW Gordon Thomas Honeywell Adopted by City Council Lakewood, WA 98499 Governmental Affairs November 06, 2017 253-983-7703 253- 310-5477 jcaulfield@cityoflakewood.us bmurray@gth-gov.com 003  Local Project Information Fort Steilacoom Park Historic District Restoration and Barn Restoration Background: Fort Steilacoom Park is a regional park within the Lakewood community that accommodates over 1 million visitors each year. For many years the site was a working farm supporting Western State Hospital patients and staff. Our community has recognized the importance of preserving our State’s rich history. The site’s farming heritage is featured in the site’s master plan (shown on next page) with the intent of transforming the historic barns into community museums and gathering places. These historic barns will provide a venue for the City and the community to host events that will generate jobs, increase tourism, and strengthening the regional economy. Project Description: Currently the barns are not connected to utilities, which makes them unfit for use as public venues. Infrastructure at the site is lacking, and needs to be completed before revitalization efforts can begin. The City has already invested over $11.5 million in the State-owned park since 2005 and is seeking $600,000 for these utility improvements in the 2018 capital budget. The City of Lakewood will also provide $400,000 in matching funds towards infrastructure improvement costs. Improvements will bring water, sewer, electrical, and fiber utilities to the barns along with roadway improvements to enable better access to the barn areas. The ability to host events and access the barns easily will elevate Fort Steilacoom Park as an economic driver in the South Sound region. Project Elements Project Cost Estimate Description Utilities Water $150,000 Utilities Sewer $450,000 Utilities Electricity/fiber $100,000 Roadway Waughop road $300,000 Improvements repaving Total $1,000,000 City Match $400,000 Total ask from State $600,000 Contact Information John J. Caulfield, City Manager Contact Information Contact Information City of Lakewood John J. Caulfield, City Manager Mary Dodsworth, Director of Park 253-973-7703 jcaulfield@cityoflakewood.us City of Lakewood City of Lakewood (253) 973-7703 jcaulfield@cityoflakewood.us (253) 310-7741 mdodsworth@city 004  Future Improvements Outdoor Pavilion $800,000 Waughop Lake Water Quality Improvements $250,000 Sports Field Lights $1.2M Park Entrance Improvements $1.4M Historic Barn Restoration $2M Fort Steilacoom Park Master Plan: Pictured above is the City of Lakewood’s plan for Fort Steilacoom Park and a table showing planned projects over the next 5 years. The historic barns are shown in the center of the map in a yellow circle. Roadway and infrastructure improvements are needed to develop this area of the parks. The historic barns are a core piece of a larger plan to present Fort Steilacoom Park as a regional recreation area that includes boating, trails, museums, play fields, playgrounds, and events that will support the regional economy. 005  Local Project Information Lakewood Colonial Plaza Complete Streets Project Project Description: 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 by creating an attractive, pedestrian-friendly place in the city that fosters mixed use development. 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 Lakewood Colonial Plaza project leads to the creation of a vibrant and welcoming public gathering space with a park-like atmosphere. The Lakewood Colonial Plaza 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. Project Costs Project Design (city's current contribution) ($250,000.00) Incidental Construction $182,000.00 Transportation Improvements $451,300.00 Utility Construction $351,000.00 Non-Motorized Improvements $448,800.00 Market Structure & Landscaping $230,000.00 Construction Management $180,000.00 Subtotal $1,593,100.00 Contingency (5%) $83,000.00 Remaining Project Cost $1,676,100.00 John J. Caulfield, City Manager Courtney Casady, Management Analyst Briahna Murray, Vice President City of Lakewood City of Lakewood Gordon Thomas Honeywell (253) 983-7703 (253) 983-7839 (253) 310-5477 jcaulfield@cityoflakewood.us ccasady@cityoflakewood.us bmurray@gth-gov.com 006  WSDOT PROPERTY IN LAKEWOOD: ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF RELOCATION Local project information October 2017 Project Overview The City of Lakewood (City) is working with the state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) a win-win proposal to relocate a WSDOT facility that would open up economic development growth in 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 facility. This is not the highest and best use of the land. The site’s prime Interstate 5 frontage, heavy daily traffic loads (average daily traffic count of 282,000 vehicles), and proximity to the Lakewood Sounder Station make it well suited for transit-oriented retail development. Redevelopment is only possible if the WSDOT maintenance site is relocated. Potential sites have been identified nearby. Regional Context Project Site Proposed Site Buildings are 213,965 sq ft. with 0.20 floor-to-area ratio (FAR), which is below potential. (several options) N ® HW Y EMERSON LAKE I5 MURRAY RD SW 146TH ST SW SPRING ST SW WOO O 25 acres 148TH ST SW DBRO Woodbrook Business Park K DR SW 150TH ST SW 0 150 300 Feet This product was prepared with care by City of Lakewood GIS. City of Tax Parcel Lakewood expressly disclaims any liability for any inaccuracies which may Lakewood City Limit JBLM yet be present. This is not a survey. Datasets were collected at different accuracy levels by various sources. Data on this map may be shown at scales larger than its original compilation. Call 253-589-2489 for further information. IBP Zoning Boundary Map Date: October 04, 2017 :\Projects\EconDev\Maps\WBP3.mxd Annual benefit* estimate mid-level retail: Multiple Benefits of Relocation $4.5 - 9.5 million WA State Benefits for WSDOT and state $700K - 1.4 million Lakewood • One proposed site is 25 percent larger than the current facility, though can be located on a smaller footprint. $350 - 800K Pierce Transit • New facilities are more efficient than older facilities. $175 - 275K Pierce County Upgrades may result reduced utility costs and reduced ongoing building costs. Pierce County $25,000 • WSDOT can design a maintenance facility from scratch Library that is optimized for its current operations and vehicle fleet. $10,000 Port of Tacoma It can “right size” the building. (*Annual revenue estimates include sales tax, property tax, B&O Benefits for Lakewood tax, and utlity tax.) • Supports city’s economic development goals. • Complements existing retail. Annual state economic impact retail: • Reduces unemployment by providing local employment $74.83 million 916 jobs Direct opportunities. Indirect and Benefits for other jurisdictions $102.2 million 516 jobs Induced • Increases retail sales tax and property tax revenues for multiple jurisdictions. $177 million 1,433 jobs Total 007 Analysis Completed One-time benefits of construction 1. Explored costs and potential sites for $40.66 million 171 jobs Direct WSDOT relocation Indirect and $51.64 million 290 jobs In 2014, the City studied and assessed the potential Induced costs associated with relocation. Significant costs $92.3 million 461 jobs Total include current site environmental clean-up and demolition, new site acquisition, and new facility Comparable retail examples construction. 2. Examined different redevelopment scenarios In 2015, the City studied fiscal impacts and costs 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 restaurants or other small retail and services to attract drivers from the freeway into Lakewood. Mid-level retail anchor 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 on the Marysville Kohl’s Retail Mix, anchored by a Kohl’s department store and a WinCo Grocery. Other retailers include 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 Outlet mall and traditional shopping mall Centralia Outlet Mall, which has a smaller collection of outlet retail stores. Steps Forward Determine WSDOT capacity needs and relocate maintenance facility. Lakewood has identified potential sites for the relocation of the WSDOT maintenance facility. A capacity analysis, including development of cost estimates, will 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: Becky Newton, Economic Development Manager 253-983-7738 bnewton@cityoflakewood.us Briahna Murray, Vice President Gordon Thomas Honeywell Government Affairs John J. Caulfield, City Manager 253-310-5477 bmurray@gth-gov.com 253-983-7703 jcaulfield@cityoflakewood.us 008  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 06, 2017 ___________________________________________________________________________ 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 and 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. The City supports 1 009  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 06, 2017 ___________________________________________________________________________ state efforts to support military installations and address compatibility issues, so long as local control is not eroded. 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. The City supports the state’s investment in the Public Works Assistance Account as a long term program that provides infrastructure funding for local jurisdictions. Parks and Recreation and Community Services 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 $476,000 for the Harry Todd Waterfront Improvement Project. The City supports the YAF fund and plans to compete for funding for ball field lighting at Fort Steilacoom Park in the next funding cycle. 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. Small Cell Infrastructure Small cell technology is a sub-set of wireless telecommunications facilities. Small cell technology requires more devices that each have a smaller distance of radio coverage, the equipment is typically smaller, and they are frequently installed on existing street furniture in the public right-of-way. There is a push to standardize the permitting process of small cell technology across Washington and would require local governments to provide access to public facilities for use as small cell technology sites. The City opposes legislation that removes local control in the siting and regulation of small cell network facilities. Furthermore, the City supports legislation that makes statutory changes to clarify and improve the deployment of small cell network facilities. Stormwater & Culvert Funding Cities have significant stormwater and culvert funding needs. The City of Lakewood supports funding requests for current and new grant programs for local stormwater and culvert projects. 2 010  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 06, 2017 ___________________________________________________________________________ WSDOT Implementation of Connecting Washington The City encourages the Legislature to provide WSDOT with the tools and authority necessary to ensure on-time and efficient delivery of projects in the Connecting Washington transportation package, including the authority to acquire necessary right-of-way. FINANCE State-Shared Revenues The City supports restoration and continued appropriation of committed state shared funds, such as Liquor Excise Taxes and Profits, Streamlined Sales Tax Mitigation, City-County Assistance Account, Municipal Criminal Justice Account, Annexation Sales Tax Credit, and public health funding. Support legislation that provides cities with tax revenue from the sale of marijuana. 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 Offender Medical Costs The City supports legislative proposals that reduce the cities’ financial liability for offender medical costs. Cities and counties are financially responsible for medical costs associated with an offender’s injuries incurred during the commission of a crime, even if that individual has insurance. This is inequitable and is challenging for local agencies to budget. The City supports proposals that change this current practice. 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. 3 011  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 06, 2017 ___________________________________________________________________________ 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. Construction Contracts Claims Process The City opposes legislation that would change the claim process for construction contracts on public works projects. When specific instances arise, the City is willing to work with a contractor to ensure a mutually beneficial outcome is reached. 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. Community Policing Program and Basic Police Services at Western State Hospital Since 2007 the City has operated a highly effective community policing program to respond to hundreds of calls for police service at Western State Hospital. The City will closely monitor the implementation of state policies to increase the use of state psychiatric facilities for forensic patients and transition civil commitment services to community based alternatives. The City will monitor the impact these changes may have on city services. Since 2007 the City has received a flat $90,000 per biennium to provide basic police services at Western State Hospital. The City requests the compensation for basic police services be based on a 0.09 cent per square foot formula, as modeled by the West Pierce Fire District for fire 4 012  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 06, 2017 ___________________________________________________________________________ services at the facility. This administrative change would result in a biennial rate of $107,469 for basic police services at WSH. Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) The City supports ongoing 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. Jail and 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. The City will monitor all legislation that impacts the City’s ability to contract with government agencies. Release of Offenders to County of Origin The City supported 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. The City will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the expansion of this policy. Civil Asset Forfeiture Civil asset forfeiture allows law enforcement agencies to take possession of property when the property itself is illegal, was used to facilitate a crime, is proceeds from a crime, or was purchased with proceeds traceable to criminal activity. The City views civil asset forfeiture as a valuable tool, and will closely monitor legislation and oppose provisions that add restrictions on law enforcement’s use of civil asset forfeiture. GENERAL GOVERNMENT 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. 5 013  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 06, 2017 ___________________________________________________________________________ HOUSING Adult Family Homes (AFHs) The City appreciates efforts from state legislators to regulate adult family homes and recognizes that these challenges transcend State law. The City will exercise its broad police and home rule powers as provided in State law to ensure AFHs maintain numbers of occupants consistent with their residential setting and facilities are dispersed appropriately to prevent unintended de facto “social services zones.” 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 legislation and other changes to state law that support safe and neighborhood friendly adult family homes. Regulating Enhanced Service Facilities The City encourages the state to recognize Enhanced Services Facilities (ESFs) as an institutional use and remove language which allows an Adult Family Home to convert to this use. Allowing Adult Family Homes to convert to ESFs causes confusion about these distinctly different care services, to the disadvantage of each service as well as the surrounding community. The City supports legislation that would restrict these institutional facilities to zones which accommodate commercial or industrial uses. ESFs are a de facto institutional use that is inappropriate for residential neighborhoods. Residential neighborhoods are comprised of vulnerable populations such as families, the elderly and residents of Adult Family Homes. The safeguards proposed in existing law are insufficient to protect the community from the offenders who would be served by ESFs. 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 $106.7M investment in the Housing Trust Fund. Predatory Lending The City supports legislation to stop all predatory home lending practices and supports enforcement of state law to ensure all home renting practices are in compliance with existing regulations. Foreclosure of Homes The City supports legislation that will assist local jurisdictions in managing vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties. Without responsible management, these properties can cause problems throughout an entire community. The properties can become fire hazards, home to squatters, location of crime, and result in general decline in property values. 6 014  CITY OF LAKEWOOD LEGISLATIVE POLICY MANUAL ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 06, 2017 ___________________________________________________________________________ MILITARY AFFAIRS South Sound Military & Communities Partnership (SSMCP) and 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. The 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 the SSMCP and supports policy decisions that assist JBLM. 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 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, and SSMCP. 7 015