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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole - 25 Oct 2021 - Agenda - Pdf CITY OF RENTON AGENDA - Committee of the Whole Meeting 6:00 PM - Monday, October 25, 2021 Videoconference 1. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE a) State Legislative, Regional, and Federal Priority Agendas b) Presentation Currently, due to the spread of COVID-19, all regularly-scheduled committee meetings will be held as necessary via video-conference. City Hall is closed to the public. If you would like to attend this week's meeting remotely, you can do so by going to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86753290028?pwd=M2pOc09HWWNrY05uVnlIWnpGS1E4UT09 Zoom Meeting ID: 867 5329 0028, Passcode: 881839 You can call through Zoom at (253) 215-8782 and use the Meeting ID. - 1 - City of Renton 2022 State Legislative Agenda Key Priorities • Quality of Life Small-scale Capital funds for boardwalk to tie together May Creek Trail and 405/NE 44th Avenue park-and-ride: Understanding this is an off-year “supplemental” Capital Budget for the 2022 Legislature, Renton seeks help from its legislative delegation on a time-sensitive, small-scale ($250,000) request to help fund a boardwalk connection from a city-owned property just east of the 405/NE 44th Avenue interchange to the May Creek Trail and the “Seahawk Station” Bus Rapid Transit station just west of the freeway. This project is time- sensitive because the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is working now on the Renton-to-Bellevue improvements and managed-lane additions to I-405, and it would become very difficult to design and build this boardwalk if the city doesn’t coordinate closely with WSDOT on anticipated Fall 2022 construction timelines. This boardwalk could be a significant help in connecting what may well become a park-and-ride facility just east of 405 (City-owned property) with a May Creek Trail that WSDOT is already extending as part of the 405 project -- a trail that extends all the way to Cougar Mountain. • Transportation Infrastructure Pass a Transportation Investment Package: Renton will actively support passage of a transportation revenue package—if not in a Special Session leading up to the 2022 Session, then during it. The City will work in coalition with Chamber and business groups, other local governments, contractors, etc. In particular, Renton will promote funding and inclusion of the following projects, direct distribution items, grant enhancements, and local options:  Projects • 405/N. 8th Direct-Access Ramp: Renton will urge that this project, which was included in the “Forward Washington” packages developed in the Senate in 2019-21 and received early funding in a 2019 tolling authorization bill for I- 405, be a part of any project list (Estimated Cost: $245 Million). • I-405/SR 167 Area Transit Improvements: With a Bus Rapid Transition (BRT) station coming to the intersection of SR 167/Rainier Avenue North and Grady Way by 2026, the already clogged ramps off of 405/167 will become significantly more dangerous and impassable, particularly for transit vehicles attempting to access the BRT Station. Renton has worked with WSDOT on a modest-cost fix – a Grady Way Overcrossing – that can save up to two minutes in AM and PM peak transit travel times. (Estimated Cost: $55 million). • Eastrail – Extension of Current Renton Terminus from Milepost 5 to Coulon/Southport: As part of any bicycle/pedestrian capital projects portion of a package, Renton – in collaboration with King County and Eastrail Partners -- will seek funding to help extend the current Eastrail southern terminus point from AGENDA ITEM #1. a) - 2 - Milepost 5 off Lake Washington Boulevard to the entrance to Coulon Park and the Southport development. (Estimated Cost: $6 million).  Direct Distribution, Enhanced Funding for Grant Programs, Local Options • Key Components of any Transportation Package for Local Governments: Renton will work closely with the Association of Washington Cities, individual cities, counties, and others to ensure any revenue package crafted in 2021 includes a direct distribution of new gas tax to cities and counties; enhanced funding for mission-critical grant programs such as the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB); and new local options that cities and counties can evaluate to address local roadway needs – particularly maintenance-driven ones. In particular, the City seeks grant funding to complete the Rainier Avenue South Corridor. • Interstate 405 Corridor – Addressing Funding Gaps for projects necessary to make the High-Occupancy Toll Lanes (HOT Lanes) and the Bus Rapid Transit system (BRT) work efficiently: During the 2021-22 interim, at the Legislature’s direction, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) conducted a study of the I-405/State Route 167 tolling corridor, specifically examining options on how to expedite funding for projects at the north end of the 405 HOT Lanes system. One option WSDOT examined, in order to address funding gaps brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the sharp drop in fuel tax and toll revenues, involved delaying certain projects by up to 10 years in order to better finance the north-end projects. It is worth noting that a 405/167 Executive Advisory Group (EAG), which includes Renton officials, summarily rejected such a notion and urged that WSDOT and ultimately the Legislature use new revenue tools such as “GARVEE” bonds to ensure all projects on the 405 corridor stay on track. Renton urges legislators to ensure that any solution to expediting certain 405 corridor projects is achieved in such a way that all projects remain on track and on schedule. • Fiscal Matters – Revenue Relief and Flexibility, Protecting Existing Revenues Revenue Relief – 1 percent property tax limit: Like so many other cities across the state, Renton has suffered significant impacts to its budget during the COVID-19 pandemic. While revenue-shortfall-relief funds under the federally enacted American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will provide the city with a significant helping hand over the next couple of years, the long-term revenue outlook remains challenging. As a result, the City asks that state lawmakers look at structural ways to provide revenue relief to local governments, including a change to the 1 percent property tax limitation that does not allow annual revenues to even keep pace with cost inflation. • Public Safety, Including Technical Fixes to Policing Reform Bills  Language changes to use-of-force, tactics legislation: During the 2021 Session, Renton actively supported numerous bills enacted by the Legislature and designed to re-imagine local policing and the conditions under which law enforcement agencies resorted to the use of force. (Renton Police has one of the lowest use-of-force rates in AGENDA ITEM #1. a) - 3 - King County). That included bills around de-certification, duty to intervene, use-of- force data bases, and more. However, the City believes that in working to make a number of dramatic changes to state laws regarding law enforcement, the Legislature may have created a few unintended consequences in bills dealing with police tactics and use of force. Renton thus supports clarifications of the civil standards for use of force in situations involves mental health crises, “Terry stops” on suspected criminal activity, use of non-lethal ammunition, and conditions under which vehicle pursuits are conducted.  Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) Training Slots: Renton will strongly support legislative efforts to enhance funding for BLEA slots, particularly as rehiring of police post-COVID picks up and the pressure on securing Academy slots intensifies. The Criminal Justice Training Commission is seeking four (4) new BLEA slots for Fiscal Year 2022 (total of 19) and five (5) additional slots for FY 2023 (total of 20). Renton also supports a $1 million allocation to CJTC to help fund a new on-phone/on-laptop training app. • Racial Justice and Equity Seeking Outside Funding and Tools: As part of a citywide reorganization last June, Renton established a new Equity, Housing, and Human Services Department (EHHS) to shine a bigger spotlight on efforts and initiative to advance both racial justice and equity as well as to better deploy resources for affordable housing and human needs. The City will be poised to support legislative initiatives to add funding resources for basic needs, stable housing, and greater access for historically unserved and under-served communities. While the City is attuned to outside funding and assistance, it is taking numerous steps internally on these fronts as well, including the imposition of a 1/10th of 1 cent sales tax under the House Bill 1590 statute; establishment of a new Equity Commission; and formation of a citizens’ Advisory Board to work with Renton Police. AGENDA ITEM #1. a) - 4 - Support/Oppose and Track/Monitor Issues • Budget and Fiscal Matters  Protect Existing Revenues, including “State-Shared” Revenues: Renton urges lawmakers, in fine-tuning a 2022 Supplemental Operating Budget, to ‘do no harm’ and refrain from state-shared revenue reductions or other cuts to local governments that result in a transferring of negative impacts from the state level to the local level.  B&O Tax Authority: Local authority for cities that impose a B&O tax should be preserved. The City will oppose efforts to undercut local authority. • Criminal Justice/Public Safety/Fire/Courts  “Blake” decision: As lawmakers continue to sort out how to proceed with a new paradigm of handling drug offenses under the Blake decision, Renton will join AWC and others in supporting additional funding for diversion efforts, therapeutic courts, and more.  Catalytic Converter Thefts: Renton is prepared to support legislative initiatives from the City of Des Moines and others to enact statutory changes to help police address the rapidly growing rate of catalytic converter thefts.  Traffic safety cameras: Renton will join other cities, counties, and law enforcement groups in opposing unnecessary limitations around the use of traffic safety cameras that have been proven to reduce accidents and save lives.  Legislation mandating Citizen Oversight Boards and adding civil liability exposure: In 2021, Renton joined AWC and other cities in opposing HB 1203 which would have mandated the establishment of Citizen Oversight Boards for law enforcement and HB 1202 which would have greatly expanded civil liability exposure for local governments in cases involving law enforcement officer misconduct. The City urges lawmakers to respect local discretion on the establishment of Oversight Boards so cities like Renton can tailor them to what fits their communities. Renton also urges legislators not to expand civil liability against local governments that simply can’t control all aspects of law enforcement training and conduct. • Economic Development/Infrastructure/Housing – Including Affordable Housing/Homelessness  Affordable Housing/Homelessness: Renton will support measures to bring funding and tools to local communities to add affordable housing, permanent shelter space, and other options for those in need. This includes support of additional funding through the Housing Trust Fund (HTF); statutory fixes to make it easier for Land Trusts to pursue affordable homeownership projects; and authorizing of “Housing Benefit Districts” as an added tool for bringing affordable housing to Transit-Oriented- Development (TOD) projects. AGENDA ITEM #1. a) - 5 -  Housing Stability: Renton will support measures to increase housing stability as part of COVID-19 recovery by strengthening statutes to keep people housed.  Public Works Assistance Account: Renton supports efforts to rebuild the PWAA and recapture funding streams previously diverted into the Education Legacy Account. • Environmental Sustainability  Laws on recycling, packaging, safe disposal: Renton is prepared to support legislation to enhance recycling and safe-packaging practices, and to continue to bolster the use of environmentally responsible disposal of goods through the Product Stewardship program.  Legislative Proposals to advance the work of the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (“K4C”), assist WRIAs: Renton is prepared to support proposals that will advance the work of K4C and funding to support capital requests through WRIAs 8 and 9. • Land Use/Growth Management Act (GMA)  Achieving Density and “Missing Middle” Requirements: Renton supports the right of state lawmakers to ensure local communities are accepting their share of population growth. The City urges legislators to respect local discretion on how to best accommodate that growth and to refrain from density mandates that do not make sense for all communities.  Local authority over how to add Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Renton is a major proponent of adding ADUs into local communities and has developed an innovative Model Ordinance to expand the number of ADUs. However, the City opposes legislation that would mandate specific development standards and regulations. Such decisions are best left to elected officials at the local level.  Statutory changes to stimulate more condominium construction in cities: Even with recent actions by the Legislature to stimulate the condominium construction market, the preponderance of building is in cities such as Seattle and Bellevue. Renton is poised to support legislation that would further incentivize condominium building.  Funding to implement planning provisions of ESHB 1220: Legislators did not include local funding in 2021 when they enacted this measure to require cities to plan for and accommodate emergency housing, emergency shelters, and permanent supportive housing. Renton joins AWC and others in supporting a legislative push to ensure the funding is included in the 2022 Supplemental Operating Budget.  Changes to state law to add clarity to local authority to impose a fee in lieu of requiring frontage improvements: The City of Tacoma is contemplating a legislative initiative in 2022 to add clarity to state law that appears to allow cities to impose a fee on developers in lieu of frontage improvements in cases where the frontage AGENDA ITEM #1. a) - 6 - improvements do not make sense. Renton has successfully implemented this fee and would support legislation to add clarity to the statute that authorizes it. • Local Government in General  Restrictions on “puppy mill” pet sales: If any legislation is brought forth in 2022 that strengthens the state’s authority to regulate sales from so-called “puppy mills,” or institutes additional consumer protections, Renton is prepared to support it. The City believes state action is needed because zoning regulations do not cover online sales of animals that come from puppy mills, and individual cities lack the ability to materially impact the business model of out-of-state puppy mills.  Release of body-worn camera footage: Renton is prepared to support a technical fix in the law being sought by the City of Kent, which proposes statutory changes that would allow unredacted Body-Worn Camera (BWC) video footage to be released to involved attorneys and thus avoid the unnecessary expense of un-redacting such video of footage sought through trial discovery processes in criminal prosecutions.  Permanent authority to conduct public meetings virtually during an emergency under the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA): In 2021, the Legislature came very close to enacting a bill promoted by the AWC to permanently enable local governments to conduct public meetings virtually during a declared emergency. AWC will again seek passage of a bill to enable this, and Renton will support it.  Public Records Act (PRA): Renton hopes state lawmakers will continue to evaluate ways to provide local agencies with new tools in addressing the proliferation of PRA requests. The City would support direct funding and/or better cost-recovery mechanisms for the especially rapid rise of electronic records (now including Zoom and Teams meetings and chat boxes) that must be preserved and released upon request.  Civil remedies for those who are victims of malicious “doxing”: The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), joined by some individual cities, is likely to bring legislation forward in 2022 to provide local officials with a civil damages remedy if they are the victims of malicious “doxing” of their personal information and whereabouts over the Internet. Renton would support such legislation.  E-Mail Records Retention: Renton supports changes to e-mail records retention that requires a minimum seven (7) years’ retention for e-mail communication regardless of the content of the written message contained in the email. The City Clerk’s office notes that with e-mail records for Mayors, there is a two-year schedule. The City hopes to develop a broad-based coalition to address this issue with the office of the Washington State Archives. AGENDA ITEM #1. a) - 7 - • Parks and Recreation/Arts and Culture  Local funding options for parks and recreation agencies: Renton will support legislation being promoted by the Washington Recreation & Park Association (WRPA) that provides a new funding option for parks and recreation agencies run by cities, counties, Metropolitan Park Districts, and Park Districts.  Use of one-time Stadium & Exhibition Center Account funds for youth fields and youth activities: Washington State has now paid off all prior debt obligations on the Seahawks Stadium (Lumen Field) following a ballot measure in the 1990s that asked voters to approve a funding-and-bonding initiative to build it. That ballot measure also set aside funding for youth field needs. Now that the bond obligations have been addressed, and a one-time, $42 million allocation has been provided to the Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO), Renton strongly supports utilizing those monies for youth fields and recreational activities and granting funds to local communities and local parks-and-recreation programs.  Changing 1/10th of 1 cent sales tax option for Cultural Access Authorities from voter-approval required to “councilmanic”: Renton plans to track/monitor this issue being brought forward by Inspire Washington. • Personnel, Pensions, Other Human Resources Issues Pension rates: Renton asks lawmakers to proceed with caution in increasing employer and employee pension rates as the state and local governments are still struggling financially under the economic impacts brought on by COVID-19. • Transportation Changes to Transportation Benefit District (TBD) statutes: Renton will support legislative changes being pursued by AWC, the City of Walla Walla, and other cities to make it easier for local jurisdictions to renew and maintain Transportation Benefit Districts once established. Current law, for example, puts a 10-year limitation on TBD authorization and requires ongoing renewals to go to voters. Allowing for longer authorization periods or permanent authorization would add certainty for local jurisdictions that bring TBD measures to their voters. • Water/Wastewater/Stormwater/Utilities Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit: Renton will join other cities, counties, and utilities in urging a review by the Legislature of the Washington State Department of Ecology’s proposed Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit (PSNGP) regulating the discharge of treated wastewater into the Puget Sound from Wastewater Treatment Facilities. The review would help evaluate whether Ecology is following required rule-making processes, basing the permit on sound science, and seeing if benefits of the permit exceed significant compliance costs. The review should also evaluate the financial impact to businesses and residents as well as future economic growth. Meanwhile, Renton joins in asking the Legislature to delay issuance of the PSNGP until the modeling of nutrient inputs to Puget Sound is better understood, limited data is fully evaluated, alternative approaches have been analyzed, and a cost-benefit analysis is completed. AGENDA ITEM #1. a) - 8 - City of Renton 2022 Regional Affairs Agenda • Transportation/Transit  King County Metro: Renton is actively working to ensure that updated service guidelines and the “Metro Connects” plan being developed by King County Metro put a high priority on equity and recognizing the needs of riders who rely heavily on transit to get them to where they need to go. The City also wants to ensure future RapidRide lines such as the proposed Renton (Sunset Area) to Bellevue line are put on more defined timelines within Metro Connects and not downgraded to just “candidate” or “frequent service” projects.  Sound Transit: Renton will actively seek to ensure that Interstate 405 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stays fully funded and on a 2026 delivery schedule under ST’s “Realignment Process.” The city also wants to ensure that creative and flexible ideas to bring parking both to the South Renton Transit Center (Rainier & Grady) and the 405/44th interchange (“Seahawks Station”) are given ongoing priority and attention. Renton also will strive to see that Light Rail Transit extensions to Renton are actively studied, that future LRT is designed into the South Renton Transit Center, and that the City and ST work closely together on I-405/SR 167 area bus improvements.  Puget Sound Regional Council: Renton will take an active role in pursuing PSRC federal pass-through funding that is made available within the region.  Eastside Rail Corridor (“Eastrail”): Renton will work to ensure that funding and easements are put in place to ensure Eastrail extends to the area including Southport, The Landing, and Boeing-Renton (including Cedar River and future Lake-to-Sound trail connections). Renton also will work hard to include and find funding for this extension in future transportation packages. • Affordable Housing/Homelessness  Red Lion Inn De-Intensification Shelter: Renton will continue to work with King County on the relocation of the 235 or so residents of this shelter, particularly as a new permanent supportive housing facility at the former Extended Stay of America location comes online.  Sunset Area: Renton will partner with the Renton Housing Authority (RHA), the South King Housing and Homelessness Partnership (SKHHP), the Microsoft Corporation, and other community partners to put significant investment into quality affordable housing projects and to enhance funding where possible. The City is putting $1.5 million of its “1590” funds into the new Sunset Gardens 76-unit development being built by RHA.  South Renton Transit Center/Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Renton will continue to partner with Sound Communities, RHA, King County, and others to AGENDA ITEM #1. a) - 9 - exploring opportunities for mixed-income TOD projects near the South Renton Transit Center scheduled to open in 2026.  Homeless Shelters, Feeding Program: The City will continue with a strategy of facilitating efforts that allow non-profit and faith-based organizations to supplement existing shelter space and feeding programs for the homeless. Additionally, the City is evaluating whether to remodel and upgrade the old Chamber Building (“300 Building”) to permanently house the feeding and cold-weather shelter and potentially to enable a more permanent shelter space. • Parks, Trails, Youth Services, and Open Space  Family First Community Center: Renton will continue to explore all possible outside funding options for the Family First Community Center (FFCC), including the possibility of funding from the Best Starts for Kids program now that the BSK Implementation Plan is adding eligibility for capital facilities that serve youth.  Pursuit of grant funding under the Countywide Parks Levy: Renton will actively seek funding for the North Coulon Park Water Walk and picnic pads through the Parks and Open Space grant program, and initial funding for a feasibility analysis of how to best modernize and expand the Henry Moses Aquatics Center. • Flood Control Project needs: Renton will continue to pursue future funds through the Flood Control Zone District (FCZD) for next-phase projects identified in the Cedar River Capital Investment Strategy, Renton Levee Certification, the Lower Cedar River Feasibility Study, and Lower Cedar River Maintenance Dredging. • Public Safety – including Mental Health Services, Regional Homelessness Authority Regional Initiatives, Task Forces, etc.: Renton will be a regular and active participant in regional efforts involving mental health, homelessness, drug enforcement, intervention to address opioid addiction, gang prevention, natural disaster response, and more. • Racial Justice and Equity Seeking out Funding and Tools: Renton will actively seek out regional, state, and federal funding opportunities; collaborate with the Renton Regional Community Foundation; and evaluate ways to leverage new funding under the House Bill 1590 statute (1/10th of 1 cent sales tax for affordable housing and related services), as tools to build up funds that can enable increased human services funding, provide start-up dollars for programs that give new opportunities to people of color, and address early crises in affordable housing that will come with the end of the Governor’s eviction moratorium. • Human Services AGENDA ITEM #1. a) - 10 - Potential Funding: The City will work closely with non-profit organizations, faith-based entities, and others to pursue human services funding that benefits the Renton community, including ways to access the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), “Best Starts for Kids,” and other available funding streams. • Arts and Culture 4Culture: Renton will establish an inventory of projects throughout the community to ensure that the City’s arts and cultural organizations are regularly and assertively seeking funds – particularly through 4Culture’s “Build for Equity” Capital program. • Solid Waste Cedar Hills Regional Landfill -- Facilities Support and Operations Center: Renton will continue to express strong concerns over the “Option 3” possibility of locating the Facilities Support and Operations Center in the Highlands neighborhood. Though this site does not appear to be a preferred option at this juncture, the City will remain vigilant. Renton believes that with a minimal ‘buffer’ to protect this facility from nearby neighborhoods, and with significant noise, traffic, and safety issues, King County Solid Waste would be ill-advised to pursue Option 3. • Water/Reclaimed Water Use of Reclaimed Water: Renton has a seat at the table for regional discussions among King County, Seattle, Cascade Water Alliance, and suburban-city interests as to how, where, and under what conditions reclaimed water should be marketed and sold in local communities. The City wants to ensure financial interests of municipal utilities, and overall water quality, are adequately protected. • Energy/Green Power Puget Sound Energy “Green Power” and “Green Direct” programs: Renton will work closely with PSE to ensure Renton residents and businesses are aware of and educated on the benefits of the Green Power program, and that the City can be poised to enroll in the third phase of the closely related “Green Direct” program targeted at corporate and municipal customers. AGENDA ITEM #1. a) - 11 - City of Renton 2022 Federal Affairs Agenda • COVID-19 Revenue Relief/ARPA Renton appreciates the work of Congress to enact the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that involved direct funding distributions to cities and continues throughout the U.S. to provide revenue relief due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Renton has rolled out its initial spending plans for the $18.1 million in ARPA funds and will work hard on public outreach, compliance, and ongoing funding decisions. • Infrastructure Package Renton continues to urge the U.S. Senate and U.S. House to take the final steps necessary to pass a bi-partisan infrastructure bill that would generate $550 billion in new investments over the next five (5) years. The measure gained U.S. Senate approval in early August and continues to await a U.S. House vote which is tied to corollary action on a “Reconciliation Bill” that would include anywhere from $2 to $3.5 trillion in new social safety-net investments. • Racial Justice and Equity -- Seeking out Funding and Tools Renton will actively seek regional, state, and federal funding opportunities; collaborate with the Renton Regional Community Foundation; and evaluate ways to leverage new funding under the House Bill 1590 statute (1/10th of 1 cent sales tax for affordable housing and related services), as tools to build up funds that can enable increased human services funding, provide start-up dollars for programs that give new opportunities to people of color, and address early crises in affordable housing that will come with the end of the Governor’s eviction moratorium. • Renton Airport: Renton will work to access Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds for Airport infrastructure needs – including airport assistance grants and FEMA monies for control tower upgrades. Renton also supports continued by-contract-tower funding and federal actions to ensure “by-contract” air traffic control towers can hire and retain well-trained controllers. • Sunset Area Transformation Renton will work closely with the Renton Housing Authority and other community partners to evaluate – and pursue where appropriate – federal funding opportunities to enhance the stock of quality affordable housing in the Sunset Area, including funds for the new Sunset Gardens project. • Family First Community Center Renton will actively pursue federal sources of funding to help with both short-term capital costs and long-term operating costs of the FFCC. AGENDA ITEM #1. a) - 12 - • Grant Funding – FEMA, JAG Grants, Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF), etc. Renton will work with its congressional delegation, community partners, and other local and regional agencies to consistently seek out and evaluate potential federal grant opportunities that could be value-added for the City. These include FEMA grants being pursued to ensure bank stabilization of the Cedar River and Cedar River Trail; Justice Assistance Grants for law enforcement; LWCF grants for parks and trails; and more. • Protecting financial and bonding tools authorized at the federal level Renton will support legislative initiatives put forth by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), including the protection of tax-exempt and bank-qualified Municipal Bonds. AGENDA ITEM #1. a) Committee of the Whole – Draft 2022 State, Regional, and Federal Priorities Agenda Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 Presented by Doug Levy AGENDA ITEM #1. b) The 2022 Session Expanded agenda for 2022 Session includes state, regional, and federal priorities 2022 Legislative Session Only 60 days Operating, Capital, and Transportation budgets are “Supplemental” (more fine- tuning and tweaks than major changes) Trending toward a mix of in-person and virtual for Members; all-virtual for outside stakeholders and the public After Redistricting, the 49 legislative districts will be redrawn; Renton likely to be in fewer districts AGENDA ITEM #1. b) “Big” Issues at all levels State Legislature Special Session on transportation under discussion Operating Budget stable & forecast up Legal challenges pending on 2021 tax decisions Housing/homelessness challenges remain Policing reform bills likely to be revisited Regional King County Metro: major update to service guidelines and Metro Connects Health through Housing: one new shelter and relocation of existing one Countywide Parks Levy program: City applying for two grants Federal Infrastructure package and “reconciliation” bill still pending Two -month maneuver on raising debt ceiling AGENDA ITEM #1. b) Renton’s 2022 State Priorities Quality of Life –Connect city-owned property just east of 405/44th with May Creek Trail and Seahawk Station just west of freeway Transportation Infrastructure –Funding for our key projects, plus importance of direct distribution, increased grant program funds, local option tools Fiscal Matters –Revenue Relief –Focus on deeply-flawed 1 percent property tax limit Public Safety –Policing Reform Bills –Important technical/policy changes and language clarification Public Safety –Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) Racial Justice & Equity –Funding and tools to address disparities, enable affordable housing and basic human needs, enhance access for historically unserved and under-served (NOTE: This issue in all three Agendas)AGENDA ITEM #1. b) Renton’s 2022 State Agenda – “Support/Oppose” Blake Decision –Support ongoing funding needs Rising Catalytic Converter Thefts –Support Des Moines-initiated policy bill to address thefts Density and Missing Middle/Single-Family Zoning: Support communities accepting their share of population growth but refrain from density mandates ADUs –Oppose legislation that mandates specific development standards and regulations HB 1220 redux –Support funding for planning aspects of emergency housing, emergency shelters, and permanent supportive housing E-Mail records retention –Support direct funding and/or better cost- recovery mechanisms for electronic records Transportation Benefit Districts –Support efforts to make statute more user-friendly AGENDA ITEM #1. b) Renton’s 2022 Regional Priorities King County Metro –Service Guidelines/Metro Connects --Maintain strong focus on equity; clarity around future RapidRides Sound Transit –Several key efforts underway –405/44th park-and-ride location; actively study LRT and design into Rainier/Grady Transit Center; 405/167-area BRT improvements Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) –Pursue funds especially on transportation front Eastrail –Collaborate with King County, cities, other partners to continue build-out of 42-mile trail from Renton through Woodinville Red Lion Shelter –Work with County to usher in new shelter at former Extended Stay site while relocating 235+ Red Lion residents Sunset Area –Partner with RHA, SKHHP, Microsoft, other community partners Homeless Shelters, Feeding Program –Pursue funding; work with local non- profits/feeding programs; possible remodel/upgrade of old Chamber Building AGENDA ITEM #1. b) Renton’s 2022 Regional Priorities (cont’d.) Family First Community Center –Funding opportunities Flood Control District –Funding for Renton priorities, projects Mental Health Services, Regional Homelessness Authority Racial Justice and Equity, Human Services Funding 4Culture –Funding opportunities for city, community facilities Cedar Hills Regional Landfill –Facilities Support and Operations Center –Unsuitability of Renton Highlands location Reclaimed Water –Regional conversations to protect Renton’s water utility fiduciary interests Puget Sound Energy –Green Power and Green Direct AGENDA ITEM #1. b) Renton’s 2022 Federal Priorities COVID-19 Relief/ARPA Infrastructure Package Racial Justice and Equity Renton Airport Sunset Area Transformation Family First Community Center Grant Funding Protection of financial and bonding tools AGENDA ITEM #1. b) Questions?AGENDA ITEM #1. b)