2017/01/04 Council Agenda Packet

I • Everett is prepared to support 2017 legislative initiatives to re-establish state funding and partnerships for economic development incentive programs such as the Local Revitalization Financing program (LRF) or the Local Infrastructure Assistance Tools (LIFT) program. • Everett will support a 2017 initiative to make technical changes and enhancements to the state laws governing Business Improvement Areas (BIAs); • Everett will support 2017 legislation allowing local governments expanded use of"Small Works Rosters" to do small-scale infrastructure and public works jobs in-house. Environment/Natural Resources • Everett will oppose legislative initiatives to extend Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) fee authority for Hydraulic Permit Approvals (HPAs) — unless such a fee extension is accompanied by appropriate limitations on WDFW authority to require permits for projects above and beyond the "ordinary high-water mark"; • Everett will support Department of Ecology requests to appropriately fund Chemical Action Plans (CAPs); • Everett will support legislation to expand the "Product Stewardship"program— specifically for prescription drugs and certain types of paints; Land-Use/Growth Management Act(GMA) • Everett will support 2017-19 Operating Budget requests by the Department of Ecology to continue providing assistance grants for Shoreline Master Program updates; • Everett is prepared to support legislative initiatives to continue to streamline the State Environmental Policy Act(SEPA), perhaps including efforts to expand the use of infill exemptions. Local Government in General/Miscellaneous • Everett will join others in opposing legislation that would impose "unfunded mandates" on local governments, or seeks to pre-empt or remove local authority; • Everett is prepared to support legislative initiatives that can help reduce costs for cities and counties, or make service delivery more efficient. Personnel, Pension, and other Human Resource Issues • Everett will join the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) and other local government and business organizations in opposing legislation that would add new costs and requirements to employee benefit programs without accompanying funds; • Everett will join others in opposing legislation that would expand "presumptive disease" laws and definitions in the area of Workers' Compensation claims; • Everett urges the Legislature to refrain from bills or budget initiatives that would result in increased employer/employee pension rates. �fi