From the Director - AWC’s 75th Conference:
2008-2009 Statement of Policy and Resolutions Adopted

The event was an overwhelming success with excellent speakers including the Governor and legislators, educational workshops, and extremely enjoyable social events including outdoor activities when we all enjoyed Yakima’s sunshine. PowerPoint presentations and handouts from conference workshops are available online at www.awcnet.org/awcconf08/handoutspresentations.htm . Thank you very much Yakima for your role as host – AWC’s 75th Anniversary was celebrated with style.

AWC’s Annual Business meeting was held in conjunction with the Conference and the voting delegates selected your new Board including President Karen Rogers, Port Angeles Councilmember and Vice President Glenn Johnson, Pullman Mayor. Congratulations to Karen, Glenn and all of those elected to the Board. You can find a complete list of Board members at www.awcnet.org. Thanks to Past President Rich Munson, Spokane Valley Mayor, for his service. Rich did an outstanding job of guiding the Association during the past year and a tough legislative session as state resources "dry up." Thank you Rich for your service to every city and town in the state – well done!!!

The voting delegates also adopted the 2008-2009 Statement of Policy and Resolutions. This two year document will guide our Legislative Committee as they prepare their specific recommendations for the Board to review and advance during the 2009 and 2010 Legislative sessions. The Legislative Committee will soon be appointed (see accompanying article) and begin the process as directed by the following resolutions:

• City Fiscal Health and Flexibility – enhancing the fiscal health of cities and towns.
• Community Safety and Justice – improving local safety and justice programs.
• Flexible General Government Operations – achieving maximum local operational flexibility.
• Land Use and Environmental Stewardship – ensuring cities maintain, plan and manage vibrant and healthy communities.
• Quality Infrastructure for Safety and Development – securing a sufficient infrastructure for public safety and development purposes.
• Strong Cities Need Community and Economic Development Tools – enhancing community and economic development tools for cities.
• Federal Partnership – ensuring our federal partners do not infringe on local authority and provide appropriate resources.

A complete copy of each resolution outlining in detail AWC’s objectives can be accessed at www.awcnet.org.

As the Legislative Committee develops specific legislative objectives the AWC staff will "work" these issues with the Legislature. AWC President Rogers told the membership last week that we also need your help in communicating with your local legislators over the summer and during session about the needs of cities and our priority legislative objectives. Please watch for mailings and emails from AWC as we assist you in telling the city story, including our need for additional infrastructure assistance. State resources will be extremely difficult to obtain next year. Please, we need your help if we are to succeed.

Thanks to those of you who attended the Conference, I hope you found your time well spent. Sorry we missed others. I hope to see you soon as we schedule and conduct our upcoming Regional Meetings.

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