March 13, 2024

iStock-668036246 2024 Legislative Session adjourns
The short 60-day legislative session wrapped up on March 7. Register for AWC’s 2024 Legislative Session recap on April 11 to hear about outcomes on important city issues. The Legislature passed supplemental operating, capital, and transportation budgets with new investments for city priorities on housing, climate change, law enforcement, and behavioral health. Dig in to our analysis of city impacts and watch our end-of-session roundup to hear session highlights from your AWC lobbyists.

031324GrossmeierJessicaKeynote Live from Healthy Worksite Summit!
More than 350 attendees from municipal entities across the state are gathering for AWC’s Healthy Worksite Summit this week! Attendees are exploring the latest trends in workplace health promotion, enjoying live keynotes and networking sessions, connecting with exhibitors, and celebrating award-winning health promotion programs—all aimed at creating workplaces where employees are connected and thriving. Take a peek at the action and watch AWC’s social media channels this week to follow along.

DEIB-image Hijacked by hate speech
April 5 | Online
In the past year, many city council meetings have had their public comment periods disrupted by “Zoom-bombers” spewing racist, homophobic, and anti-Semitic rhetoric. In this forum, members will have a chance to discuss how their cities are balancing free speech with protecting the public from hate speech and ensuring that all members of the public feel safe to attend and participate in council meetings. Register today.

Register for Ethics 101: Local decision-making and ethics essentials
March 21 | Online
Join us for the second of our seven-part Elected Officials Essentials webinar series. The mayor and council have separate powers, but the line between policy and administration isn’t always clear. Learn about the laws that help leaders prevent conflict, build trust in their cities, and work together more effectively, including local decision-making powers, how the state and courts have approached city home rule authority, and ethics rules. Register for Ethics 101, then check out the rest of the series.

Sunshine Week: Open government is good government
This week, as we welcome an extra hour of daylight, we also celebrate open and transparent government through Sunshine Week! As the branch of government closest to the people, cities know that managing public records and ensuring access to public meetings are an essential responsibility in a healthy democracy.

Be sure to check out AWC’s recorded open government training, which meets an important legal requirement that new elected officials must complete within 90 days of taking office (March 30 for those who took office on January 1) and every four years thereafter.

AWCboardrecruitmentbrochure24 Interested in running for the AWC Board of Directors? Learn more and apply!
March 26, 2-3 pm | Online
Have you considered running for the AWC Board of Directors, but aren’t sure what serving on the Board entails? Join current AWC Board members and CEO Deanna Dawson for an informal Q&A to get answers, learn about Board member roles and responsibilities, and find out how to apply and run for a position. Mark your calendar and register now.

The AWC Nominating Committee is calling for applications for even-numbered AWC Board districts through April 8. Members of the AWC Board play a critical role in AWC’s success—learn how you can join in this important work.

Other news & resources

How can your city promote civics education in your community? Find ideas and inspiration through Civic Learning Week. More

Up from the ashes: Cityvision explores how the 1980 Mount St. Helens cataclysm serves as a parable of resiliency. More

Revised public defense standards, including reduced caseload limits, adopted by the Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors. More

Cybersecurity resources available to help secure municipal water networks. More

Need help with public defense costs related to drug possession cases? The Washington Office of Public Defense has funds remaining to award to local governments. More

Third funding round of AWC’s Alternative Response Team Grants is open—Apply by April 12. More

Coming soon! The 2024 AWC Salary and Benefit Survey is scheduled to launch the week of March 25. Check out our tips to make sure your city is ready. More

City officials who serve on their local 911 board or agency are encouraged to apply to serve on the Enhanced 911 Advisory Committee by April 15. More

The sign-on deadline for the Johnson & Johnson opioid settlement is May 11, 2024. Read an update on this and other opioid settlements. More

Commerce launches a second round of funding for the Industrial Site Readiness grant program, to expand the state’s portfolio of project-ready industrial sites and incentivize private investment. Apply by May 15. More

JLARC’s public records reporting system is open for 2023 data reporting through July 1. More

Interested in funding to advance a Community-Based Public-Private Partnership (CBP3) or other alternative procurement stormwater project? Ecology’s Stormwater CBP3 program offers technical assistance to municipalities. Apply here.

SOCHomeRuleReport2021thumb Elected Officials Essentials: Your first 100 days
You have it, use it: Home rule in Washington
Explore the existing authority that cities have in Washington to make decisions and laws close to home. The need for local control dates back to our state’s founding in 1889, when delegates assembled in Olympia to frame the state constitution with specific protections for city authority. Learn about the history of local control and the events that followed, including legal attempts to clarify or even undermine this authority.

AWC trainings & events

AWC: Elected Officials Essentials webinar series | 2024 dates | Online

March 21: Ethics 101
April 18: GMA planning 101
May 16: Finance 101
September 12: Social media 101
October 17: Tribal government relations 101
November 7: Human resources 101

AWC: Hijacked by hate speech | April 5 | Online

AWC: 2024 Legislative Sesson recap (AWC members only) | April 11 | Online

AWC: Small City Connectors | Multiple dates | Multiple locations

April 24 | Napavine
May 2 | Roslyn
May 9 | Medical Lake

Other trainings & events

U.S. DOE: Energy code enforcement challenges and opportunities in rural communities | March 21 | Online

MRSC: PRA deep dive: Personnel and employment records | March 26 | Online

MRSC: Public Records Act basics & more—Virtual workshop | April dates | Online

RDI: Regards to Rural conference | April 19-20 | Kennewick

State Archives: Records management workshops | Multiple dates | Online

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