2017/12/06 Council Agenda Packet

2 • Everett is prepared to support 2018 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 2017 legislation allowing local governments expanded use of"Small Works Rosters" and/or expanded bid limits to do small-scale infrastructure and public works jobs in-house. Environment/Natural Resources • Everett will support legislation to provide local communities and state agencies with more regulatory authority, and more ability to require advance notification, with respect to enhancing oil-train safety; • Everett will support legislation to expand the "Product Stewardship"program—specifically for prescription drugs and certain types of paints; • Everett supports legislation that would enable the Department of Ecology to develop "Chemical Action Plans" to more predictably regulate new chemicals that impact environmental health, drinking water, and wastewater supplies. Housing • Everett is prepared to support legislation that gives cities more tools to ensure foreclosed- upon or abandoned homes are not left neglected or unattended to. Land-Use/Growth Management Act(GMA) • Everett is prepared to support 2018 legislative initiatives to better enable the development community to construct market-rate condominiums to provide additional housing affordability options in the wake of acute affordable housing challenges facing the Puget Sound region. Local Government in General/Miscellaneous • Small-cell technology: Everett applauds the development of a new small-cell wireless system, known as "5G,"that will further enhance the ability of individuals and businesses to communicate instantly in a nation and in a world that is becoming increasingly dependent on this type of 21st Century technology. The City also supports efforts to standardize and streamline the permitting process.for 5G. However, Everett strongly opposes legislation that would undermine local rights-of-way authority, local control, and the ability of cities and PUDs to recover fair market value for the use of that valuable right-of-way; • Everett is prepared to support legislative initiatives that can help reduce costs for cities and counties, or make service delivery more efficient; • Everett is prepared to support budget initiatives to re-establish funding fora Litter Control Hotline at the state level. 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. 47