Mike For Spokane
“It would be nice if more people took the need for smaller government, limited in its scope and authority, seriously. It is not just a matter of the need to preserve our individual liberties; the great Leviathan federal government is expensive beyond our means to support it, devours everything in its path, is inefficient and often stands in the way of real solutions, all of which is costing the economy just under 25 percent of total annual gross domestic product through all means and measures.
These costs are not insignificant. As the Competitive Enterprise Institute documents in the latest edition of its annual report ‘Ten Thousand Commandments,’ the so-called hidden tax imposed by the regulatory state has reached $1.88 trillion.”
http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/blog/post/cap-and-trade-washington-state-phase-2-big-buyoff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK8o8nPVIRM#t=521
By SN&I Staff – 8/26/11
http://spokanenewsinformation.com/
Mike explains why he will not accept campaign contributions and uses his own money.
Mike speaks on Spokane’s inflated garbage/utility rates and the City’s lack of fiscal accountability
Mike talks about his intention to put citizen’s interests first, not City Government’s agenda.
Mike explains how he will discourage “closed door” meetings and put the citizen in the know.
New Mike for Spokane radio ad addresses how Mike will work to lower the cost of delivering your public resources.
5. You’re not accepting campaign contributions per se but you are raising money for charities. How are you going to win this campaign without this financial benefit?
The following draft agreement has been subsequently modified and is now believed to exclude the City of Spokane. Check with each individual Spokane area jurisdiction for the specific conditions they may be planning to agree to.
[DRAFT OF JUNE 24, 2011]
INTERLOCAL COOPERATION ACT AGREEMENT FOR
SOLID WASTE HANDLING, TRANSFER AND DISPOSAL BY THE
SPOKANE REGIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ALLIANCE
by and among
City Airway Heights, City of Cheney, City of Deer Park, City of Fairfield, City of Latah, City of Liberty Lake, City of Medical Lake, City of Millwood, City of Rockford, City of Spangle, City of Spokane, City of Spokane Valley, City of Waverly, and Spokane County
__________, _____, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I……….. RECITALS…………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
ARTICLE II………. PURPOSE AND SCOPE……………………………………………………………………….. 2
Section 2.1 Purpose of Agreement………………………………………………………………………… 2
Section 2.2 Commitment & Access to Joint Facilities…………………………………………… 2
Section 2.3 Contract Documents…………………………………………………………………………. 2
Section 2.4 Definitions……………………………………………………………………………………….. 32
ARTICLE III…….. NONPROFIT CORPORATION GOVERNANCE………………………………….. 42
Section 3.1 Solid Waste Management Alliance…………………………………………………. 42
Section 3.2 Powers……………………………………………………………………………………………… 42
Section 3.3 Public Agency Accountability………………………………………………………….. 52
Section 3.4 No Effect On Member Police Powers………………………………………………… 52
Section 3.5 SWMA Board……………………………………………………………………………………. 62
Section 3.6 SWMA Voting…………………………………………………………………………………… 62
Section 3.7 Local Government Review and Comment…………………………………………. 72
Section 3.8 Committees………………………………………………………………………………………. 82
Section 3.9 Books and Records…………………………………………………………………………… 82
ARTICLE IV…….. SWMA FINANCE………………………………………………………………………………. 82
Section 4.1 SWMA Rates & Charges…………………………………………………………………… 82
Section 4.2 Member Covenants to Exercise Flow Control and Make Payments… 82
Section 4.3 Member Covenants to Maintain Charges………………………………………… 82
Section 4.4 Member Bonds………………………………………………………………………………….. 92
Section 4.5 SWMA Billings and Payments………………………………………………………….. 92
Section 4.6 Taxes………………………………………………………………………………………………… 92
Section 4.7 Administrative and Treasury Services……………………………………………… 92
Section 4.8 SWMA Budgeting……………………………………………………………………………. 102
ARTICLE V……… SOLID WASTE TRANSFER, DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING………………. 112
Section 5.1 SWMA Service Obligation in Service Area………………………………………. 112
Section 5.2 Member Obligation to Deliver Flows……………………………………………… 112
Section 5.3 SWMA System Capacity…………………………………………………………………. 112
Section 5.4 Member Options in the Event of Capacity Constraint……………………. 112
Section 5.5 Commitment to Support Waste Reduction……………………………………… 122
Section 5.6 Integral Involvement of SWAC………………………………………………………. 122
ARTICLE VI…….. SWMA COOPERATION IN MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT OF SOLID WASTE FACILITIES……………………………………………………………………………………… 132
Section 6.1 Responsibility for Joint Facilities and Local Systems…………………….. 132
Section 6.2 Relationship to Local Planning……………………………………………………… 132
Section 6.3 Member Commitments to Assist SWMA………………………………………….. 132
ARTICLE VII……. STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT…………………………………………. 142
Section 7.1 Coordination of Environmental Review & SEPA Requirements………. 142
Section 7.2 SEPA Compliance……………………………………………………………………………. 142
Section 7.3 Retention of Substantive Authority………………………………………………. 142
ARTICLE VIII…… LEGAL RELATIONS………………………………………………………………………… 152
Section 8.1 Effective Date & Term of Agreement………………………………………………. 152
Section 8.2 Member Withdrawal and Removal………………………………………………… 152
Section 8.3 Addition of New Members………………………………………………………………. 152
Section 8.4 Amendment of Agreement and Organization…………………………………. 152
Section 8.5 Notice…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 162
Section 8.6 Resolution of Legal Disputes………………………………………………………….. 162
Section 8.7 Arbitration……………………………………………………………………………………. 172
Section 8.8 Member Obligation Pending Resolution of Disputes……………………….. 172
Section 8.9 Survival of Obligations…………………………………………………………………. 172
Section 8.10 Interpretation of Agreement………………………………………………………….. 182
Section 8.11 Waiver……………………………………………………………………………………………. 182
Section 8.12 Remedies…………………………………………………………………………………………. 182
ARTICLE IX…….. COOPERATION THROUGH CONSOLIDATION PERIOD………………….. 182
Section 9.1 Coordination: SWMA Board & the County and City of Spokane….. 18 2
Section 9.2 Administrative and Treasury Services Contract With Spokane…….. 192
Section 9.3 Consolidation Principles and Objectives………………………………………… 192
Section 9.4 Consolidation Event………………………………………………………………………. 192
ARTICLE X……… APPROVAL AND EFFECTIVE DATE………………………………………………… 192
Section 10.1 Execution and Approval…………………………………………………………………. 192
Section 10.2 Implementation………………………………………………………………………………. 202
INTERLOCAL COOPERATION ACT AGREEMENT FOR
SOLID WASTE HANDLING, TRANSFER AND DISPOSAL BY THE
SPOKANE REGIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ALLIANCE
THIS INTERLOCAL COOPERATION ACT AGREEMENT FOR SOLID WASTE HANDLING, TRANSFER AND DISPOSAL BY THE SPOKANE REGIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ALLIANCE (“Agreement”) is entered into by and among the City Airway Heights, Washington (“Airway Heights”), the City of Cheney, Washington (“Cheney”), the City of Deer Park, Washington (“Deer Park”), the City of Fairfield, Washington (“Fairfield”), the City of Latah, Washington (“Latah”), the City of Liberty Lake, Washington (“Liberty Lake”), the City of Medical Lake, Washington (“Medical Lake”), the City of Millwood, Washington (“Millwood”), the City of Rockford, Washington (“Rockford”), the City of Spangle, Washington (“Spangle”), the City of Spokane, Washington (“Spokane”), the City of Spokane Valley, Washington (“Spokane Valley”), the City of Waverly, Washington (“Waverly”) and Spokane County, Washington (“County”) pursuant to Chapter 39.34 RCW. The parties are individually referred to as “Member” and collectively as the “Members.” The Members agree as follows:
Section 2.1 Purpose of Agreement.
Section 2.2 Commitment & Access to Joint Facilities
Consistent with the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan for Spokane County and with this Agreement, the Members shall and hereby commit to direct all solid waste in their local systems or under regulatory control to the transfer and disposal and recycling facilities designated by the SWMA. Each Member foregoes the opportunity to plan for and individually transfer or dispose of its solid waste. Because this Agreement and the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan for Spokane County contemplate that all Members will be using joint facilities and because most, if not all, Members will be transporting, or otherwise regulating, solid waste subject to their local systems through the political jurisdictions of one or more other Members, the Members declare and confirm.
Section 2.3 Contract Documents
The following exhibits are incorporated by reference into this Agreement as though fully set forth herein:
Exhibit A — Articles of Incorporation of SWMA
Exhibit B — Bylaws of SWMA
Exhibit C — Administrative and Treasury Services Contract
Section 2.4 Definitions
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set out below.
Section 3.1 Solid Waste Management Alliance
As soon as practical after this Agreement takes effect, the Members shall act to form a nonprofit corporation under Chapter 24.06 RCW to be formally called the “Spokane Regional Solid Waste Management Alliance.” A form of articles of incorporation and bylaws are attached as Exhibits A and B respectively, and the Members shall use articles of incorporation and bylaws substantially in the form set out in Exhibits A and B to create the nonprofit corporation.
Section 3.2 Powers
The SWMA, an independent legal entity, acting through its Board of Directors and duly authorized employees and agents, shall have all the powers of an agency under Chapter 39.34 RCW, a nonprofit corporation organized under Chapter 24.06 RCW, and as a tax-exempt organization pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended. Among its powers, the SWMA shall have the full power and authority to:
Section 3.3 Public Agency Accountability
The Members intend for the SWMA to operate and function as a public agency. The SWMA Board shall conduct its deliberations and take action openly. Therefore, the SWMA shall operate and conduct its business subject to the Open Public Meetings Act (Ch. 42.30 RCW, as may be amended), the Public Records Act (Ch. 42.56 RCW, as may be amended), local government accountancy statutes (RCW 43.09.200 et seq., as may be amended), and other applicable laws, regulations, and self-imposed policies.
Section 3.4 No Effect On Member Police Powers
Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit the exercise of a Member’s police or regulatory powers as may be required or allowed by law. The Members confirm that the SWMA Board has no local solid waste collection authority within each Member’s jurisdiction, unless SWMA enters a separate contract with a member or members. However, the SWMA Board will have a central role in developing the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan and exercising flow control to effect the objectives of that Plan. In addition, the SWMA Board may comment on proposed changes by Members to their solid waste collection plans where such changes could affect the amount, timing or characteristics of solid waste to be handled in the SWMA System.
Section 3.5 SWMA Board
Section 3.6 SWMA Voting
Section 3.7 Local Government Review and Comment
The SWMA Board shall, in a timely manner, solicit the review and comment by its Member local governments and the SWAC of proposed changes in Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan, annual budgets and annual capital programs. The SWMA Board shall consult with a Member local government on any specific Joint Facility capital project proposed within the Member jurisdiction prior to approving the final design for such project.
Section 3.8 Committees
The SWMA Board may form and convene committees and advisory bodies as it deems appropriate for Member review and comment, public input, efficient staff and Board work, and other purposes.
Section 3.9 Books and Records
Any Member of the SWMA Board or a representative of such Member may examine the books and records of any Member or of SWMA that relate to the Joint Facilities, to the administration thereof, or this Agreement. After provision of reasonable notice, such books and records may be examined at the Member’s sole expense at any reasonable time during SWMA business hours or of that of the Member subject to examination. The SWMA Board may appoint an auditor or accountant to review any such books and records and the costs of such review shall be charged to SWMA which in turn may include such costs as a Joint Facilities Maintenance and Operations Expense.
Section 4.1 SWMA Rates & Charges
The SWMA shall establish rates and collect Tipping Fees for solid waste transfer, disposal and recycling that will be at least sufficient to pay the expenses of maintenance and operation of the SWMA System and will meet the principal, interest and coverage requirements and other bond covenants of all obligations issued by the SWMA or by a Member on behalf of the SWMA that are related to improvements and extensions to the SWMA System and that constitute a charge upon the revenue of such system.
Section 4.2 Member Covenants to Exercise Flow Control and Make Payments
Section 4.3 Member Covenants to Maintain Charges
Each Member irrevocably covenants and agrees to establish rates and collect fees for solid waste collection in the case of a Member’s operation of or contract for a collection system within its jurisdiction, or otherwise collect fees and taxes that will be at least sufficient to pay any Tipping Fees or direct charges established by the SWMA and to pay the other maintenance and operation expenses of their respective local solid waste collection systems.
Section 4.4 Member Bonds
On and after the effective date of this Agreement, no Member shall issue any debt secured by existing or future Tipping Fees, Joint Facilities, or any other SWMA revenues or assets. However, with the approval of the SWMA Board, a Member may issue such debt on behalf of or for the benefit of the SWMA; or debt secured by revenues from SWMA payments to a Member pursuant to separate contract.
Section 4.5 SWMA Billings and Payments
For any direct charges to the Members that may be adopted by supermajority of the Board, the SWMA shall bill each Member on the first day of each calendar month for charges accrued to the first day of the immediately preceding month, unless already paid as provided in Section 4.1. Each Member shall pay such charges so billed by the twentieth day of the month such bill is received, after which time such billing shall be delinquent. Charges omitted in one month may be billed in the following months. Delinquent charges shall accrue interest on the unpaid balance at a rate, and pursuant to policy, to be established from time-to-time by the Board.
Section 4.6 Taxes
In recognition of the SWMA as a public entity, the Members shall not impose any tax on the gross receipts of the SWMA. Each Member, however, may levy a gross receipts tax on its own solid waste collections and other non-SWMA solid waste operations in its jurisdiction, including receipts representing funds collected to pay any direct charge to the Members that may be adopted by the SWMA.
Section 4.7 Administrative and Treasury Services
Section 4.8 SWMA Budgeting
March 1st | Notice of previous year’s reconciliation |
March 15th | Preliminary solid waste generation estimate for next calendar year provided by SWMA |
April 15th | Members respond to preliminary solid waste generation for next calendar year |
May 1st | SWMA provides final solid waste generation estimate for next calendar year |
June 1st | SWMA provides proposed budget, Tipping Fee levels and capital improvement program for next calendar year |
July 31st | Members and public comment on proposed SWMA budget, Tipping Fee levels and capital improvement program for next calendar year |
August 31st | SWMA adopts budget and capital improvement program for next calendar and advises Members of Tipping Fees and any direct charges to Members to take effect January 1st |
Section 5.1 SWMA Service Obligation in Service Area
SWMA shall accept all Member solid waste that is approved for delivery to Joint Facilities within the SWMA System, subject to the conditions and limitations established by the SWMA. The SWMA is established to provide solid waste transfer, disposal and recycling services for solid waste generated throughout Spokane County, but it may also accept solid waste from other jurisdictions, provided such acceptance is in accord with the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan for Spokane County.
Section 5.2 Member Obligation to Deliver Flows
Each Member shall enact and enforce such ordinances as necessary to assure solid waste flow control and for delivery of solid waste collected by its Local Collection System, or within its jurisdiction, to the SWMA System. Each Member shall direct solid waste to such locations in the SWMA System and pursuant to procedures and other terms and conditions as may be established by the SWMA Board and in accordance with the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan for Spokane County. Except as otherwise provided by law, a Member shall not direct solid waste generated in its jurisdiction to an agency other than SWMA; a SWMA contractor, designated for such purposes; or, without the consent of the SWMA Board.
Section 5.3 SWMA System Capacity
Section 5.4 Member Options in the Event of Capacity Constraint
Section 5.5 Commitment to Support Waste Reduction
As early as practical, but in no event later than one year after consolidation, the SWMA Board will develop economic and other incentives that assist individual Members to implement rates and other incentives to reduce the generation of solid waste in their respective jurisdictions and throughout the County.
Section 5.6 Integral Involvement of SWAC
Section 6.1 Responsibility for Joint Facilities and Local Systems
Section 6.2 Relationship to Local Planning
The Plan shall be consistent with and responsive to solid waste management plans adopted both individually and collectively by the Members at the time this Agreement is adopted and whenever the Plan is amended. Future solid waste management plans proposed individually or collectively by the Members that affect solid waste transfer, disposal and recycling shall be offered to the SWMA Board for review and comment regarding their relationship to current SWMA plans prior to their adoption. Before adopting any new or modified solid waste management plan to be integrated with the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan for the County, each Member shall forward any such plan proposal to the SWMA Board and to the SWAC for review and comment prior to the Plan being processed consistent with Chapter 70.95 RCW.
Section 6.3 Member Commitments to Assist SWMA
To the extent legally feasible, each Member agrees to give good faith consideration to SWMA requests for necessary zoning, land use, eminent domain proceedings and other permits and approvals to implement the Plan. In the event that a Member completes an eminent domain proceeding for the benefit of the SWMA to secure property or property rights for Joint Facilities, the SWMA shall compensate the Member for its expenses and for just compensation paid for such property and property rights.
Section 7.1 Coordination of Environmental Review & SEPA Requirements
The Members and the SWMA are obligated to identify and consider environmental impacts, alternatives and mitigation measures in the development of plans, programs and facilities relating to solid waste management. The State Environmental Policy Act, Chapter 43.21C RCW, and the regulations and ordinances promulgated under it (“SEPA”), establishes procedures for preparing environmental documents and obtaining input from citizens and agencies, and requires identification of a lead agency to prepare the environmental documents and administer the environmental review process. SEPA also requires agencies to integrate environmental review at the earliest time in the decision making process to ensure that planning and decisions reflect environmental values. The Members agree that it is generally in the public interest for the SWMA to directly manage environmental review of SWMA proposals and actions to assure the early consideration of environmental factors.
For purposes of this Article VI, “action” has the meaning given it in WAC 197-11-704, and “proposal” has the meaning provided in WAC 197-11-784.
Section 7.2 SEPA Compliance
Section 7.3 Retention of Substantive Authority
The SWMA’s authority under this Article VII is to implement the procedural requirements of SEPA for SWMA proposals and actions. The Members retain their respective substantive authorities to condition or deny such proposals and actions in their respective jurisdictions as part of their zoning, land use, SEPA, or other permitting processes. In addition, pursuant to its responsibility under Chapter 70.95 RCW, the County retains its lead responsibility for the Spokane County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan.
Section 8.1 Effective Date & Term of Agreement
Section 8.2 Member Withdrawal and Removal
Section 8.3 Addition of New Members
Section 8.4 Amendment of Agreement and Organization
This Agreement may be amended with the approval of the legislative bodies of the Members. The SWMA may be converted from a non-profit corporation, with the approval of the legislative bodies of the Members, into a separate municipal corporation if and as permitted by law. Upon the creation of such a separate municipal corporation, all SWMA rights and obligations under this Agreement shall transfer to that new municipal corporation.
Section 8.5 Notice
Notices required to be given to Members shall be deemed given when served on the respective City Clerks and the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners. When members of the SWMA Board must be notified, notice to one Director thereof from each Member shall be sufficient compliance, but reasonable efforts shall be made to give notice to every alternate Director as well.
Section 8.6 Resolution of Legal Disputes
Section 8.7 Arbitration.
Section 8.8 Member Obligation Pending Resolution of Disputes
The initiation or existence of a dispute between the Members or between one or more Members and the SWMA arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall not relieve or authorize the deferral of the Members’ duty to exercise flow control of solid waste or make payments to the SWMA as provided herein.
Section 8.9 Survival of Obligations
The Members’ obligations under Section 8.2 of this Agreement shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
Section 8.10 Interpretation of Agreement
Section 8.11 Waiver
No waiver by any party of any term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed or construed as a waiver of any other term or condition, nor shall a waiver of any breach be deemed to constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach whether of the same or a different provision of this Agreement.
Section 8.12 Remedies
In addition to the remedies provided by law, this Agreement shall be specifically enforceable by any party.
Section 9.1 Coordination: SWMA Board & the County and City of Spokane
Section 9.2 Administrative and Treasury Services Contract With Spokane
To provide for an orderly transition of administrative and treasury services, SWMA and Spokane County shall enter into an Administrative and Treasury Services Contract generally in the form set out in Exhibit C. The term of the Administrative and Treasury Services Contract shall commence on the date of Consolidation and terminate six months after the SWMA Board provides notice of termination to Spokane County, which notice shall not be given earlier than December 31, 2011. This Section shall not preclude other contracts with Spokane County at the SWMA Board’s discretion.
Section 9.3 Consolidation Principles and Objectives
The Members shall use their best efforts and work together in good faith to achieve Consolidation by meeting the following objectives:
Section 9.4 Consolidation Event
When it determines that the Consolidation objectives set out in Section 9.3 have been substantially achieved, the SWMA Board shall adopt a resolution by super majority vote that finds and declares that Consolidation has been achieved. The Members acknowledge that the SWMA Board may make a finding of Consolidation that reflects substantial attainment of the objectives.
Section 10.1 Execution and Approval
Section 10.2 Implementation
This Agreement shall take effect and be in force consistent with Agreement Section 8.1.1, but shall otherwise be binding on all Members executing the Agreement on the last of the dates the Agreement has been signed by County and Spokane Valley.
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CITY OF AIRWAY HEIGHTSBy
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CITY OF CHENEYBy
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CITY OF DEER PARKBy
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CITY OF FAIRFIELDBy
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CITY OF LATAHBy
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CITY OF LIBERTY LAKEBy
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CITY OF MEDICAL LAKEBy
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CITY OF MILLWOODBy
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CITY OF ROCKFORDBy
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CITY OF SPANGLEBy
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CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEYBy
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SPOKANE COUNTYBy
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CITY OF WAVERLYBy
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CITY OF SPOKANEBy
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Exhibit A
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
of the
SPOKANE REGIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ALLIANCE
The undersigned, to form a nonprofit corporation under the provisions of the Nonprofit Miscellaneous and Mutual Cooperation Act (Chapter 24.06 of the Revised Code of Washington), as amended, hereby submit the following Articles of Incorporation.
Article 1. Name
The name of the corporation shall be the Spokane Regional Solid Waste Management Alliance (the “Corporation”).
Article 2. Duration
The Corporation shall have perpetual existence.
Article 3. Purposes and Powers
Section 3.1 Purposes.
3.1.1 This Corporation is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Corporation shall exist for the primary purpose of providing for the services and construction necessary to develop and manage joint use facilities in response to the current and future Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan for Spokane County The Corporation was created pursuant to that certain Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Solid Waste Transfer and Disposal by the SWMA, dated _________________, 2011, by and between the City Airway Heights, Washington (“Airway Heights”), the City of Cheney, Washington (“Cheney”), the City of Deer Park, Washington (“Deer Park”), the City of Fairfield, Washington (“Fairfield”), the City of Latah, Washington (“Latah”), the City of Liberty Lake, Washington (“Liberty Lake”), the City of Medical Lake, Washington (“Medical Lake”), the City of Millwood, Washington (“Millwood”), the City of Rockford, Washington (“Rockford”), the City of Spangle, Washington (“Spangle”), the City of Spokane, Washington (“Spokane”), the City of Spokane Valley, Washington (“Spokane Valley”), the City of Waverly, Washington (“Waverly”) and Spokane County, Washington
3.1.2 In furtherance of such purposes, this Corporation shall have all power available under Chapters 24.06, Chapter 39.34, 35.21 and 36.58 RCW, to include and not be limited to the following purposes and powers:
(A) implement and otherwise effectuate the Agreement;
(B) administer property, including without limitation, selling, leasing, exchanging or otherwise distributing real and personal property;
(C) contract for services and work and enter into other legal instruments binding the Corporation or provide for benefits to be secured by the Corporation;
(D) aid, support, and assist by contributions or otherwise, other organizations organized and operated exclusively for purposes specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, and no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation; and
(E) engage in any and all lawful activities which may be necessary, useful or desirable for the furtherance, accomplishment, fostering or attainment of the foregoing purposes, either directly or indirectly and either alone or in conjunction or cooperation with others, whether such others be persons or organizations of any kind or nature, such as corporations, firms, associations, trusts, institutions, foundations, or governmental bureaus, departments, or agencies.
Section 3.2 General Corporate Powers.
In general, and subject to such limitations and conditions as are or may be prescribed by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the Corporation’s Bylaws, the Corporation shall have all powers which now or hereafter are conferred by law upon a corporation organized for the purposes set forth above, are necessary or incidental to the powers so conferred, or are conducive to the attainment of the Corporation’s purposes.
Article 4. Limitations
Section 4.1 Exercise of Authority.
All of the purposes and powers of the Corporation shall be exercised in such manner that the Corporation shall qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law, and that contributions to the Corporation shall be deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.
Section 4.2 Political Affairs.
No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, except as otherwise permitted by an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law. The Corporation shall not participate in, nor intervene in any political campaign, including the publishing or distribution of statements, on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
Section 4.3 Internal Revenue Code Compliance.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles, the Corporation shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal and state income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.
Section 4.4 Restrictions on Distributions.
No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members (if any), directors, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Corporation is authorized or empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of its purposes.
Article 5. Dissolution
Upon the winding up and dissolution of the Corporation, the assets of the Corporation remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of the Corporation, shall be distributed proportionately to the Members of the SWMA in such a manner as to best accomplish the goals of the Corporation as provided in a plan of final liquidation and dissolution as may be approved by the Corporation’s Board of Directors. If, however, (i) such distribution would not be in compliance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; (ii) no such governmental entity or municipal corporation is willing or able to accept the distribution; or (iii) if such distribution is not otherwise possible, then the distribution shall be made to an organization or organizations recognized as exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law (to be used exclusively to accomplish the purposes for which this Corporation is organized) as may be provided in a plan of final liquidation and dissolution approved by the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
Article 6. Members
The qualifications of members, the property, voting and other rights, privileges, and responsibilities of members shall be set forth in the Bylaws.
Article 7. Directors
Section 7.1 Management.
The management of the Corporation shall be vested in a Board of Directors pursuant to the Nonprofit Miscellaneous and Mutual Cooperation Act, these Articles of Incorporation and the Corporation’s Bylaws. The Board shall consist of directors and alternate directors. The powers, duties, number, qualifications, terms of office, manner of election, time and criteria for removal, and time and place of meetings of the directors and alternate directors shall be as set forth in the Bylaws of the Corporation.
Section 7.2 Initial Directors.
The names and addresses of the persons who are to serve as the initial directors of the Corporation are as follows:
Name |
Address |
Jurisdiction |
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For purposes of these Articles of Incorporation, and unless the context otherwise clearly indicates, the term “director” shall include both directors and alternate directors.
Article 8. Director Liability Limitations
Section 8.1 No Director Liability.
A director shall have no liability to the Corporation for monetary damages for conduct as a director, except for acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct by the director, or for any transaction from which the director will personally receive a benefit in money, property or services to which the director is not legally entitled. If the Nonprofit Miscellaneous and Mutual Cooperation Act is hereafter amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director shall be eliminated or limited to the full extent permitted by the Nonprofit Miscellaneous and Mutual Cooperation Act, as so amended without need for further amendment of these Articles by the Corporation’s Board of Directors. Any repeal or modification of this Article shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification for or with respect to an act or omission of such director occurring prior to such repeal or modification.
Section 8.2 No Personal Liability.
Directors of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its members, if any, for monetary damages for conduct as a director, except for acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct by a director or a knowing violation of law by a director, where the director votes or assents to a distribution which is unlawful or violates the requirements of these Articles of Incorporation, or for any transaction from which the director will personally receive a benefit in money, property, or services to which the director is not legally entitled.
Article 9. Indemnification
Section 9.1 Right to Indemnification.
Each person who was, or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer, he or she is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a Membership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans (whether the basis of such proceeding is an alleged action in an official capacity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent), shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation, to the full extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; however, except as provided in Section 9.2 with respect to proceedings seeking solely to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 9.1 shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; however, the payment of such expenses in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 9.1 or otherwise.
Section 9.2 Right of Claimant to Bring Suit.
If a claim for which indemnification is required under Section 9.1 is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20) days, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, to the extent successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. The claimant shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Article upon submission of a written claim (and, in an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, where the required undertaking has been tendered to the Corporation), and thereafter the Corporation shall have the burden of proof to overcome the presumption that the claimant is not so entitled. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its members, if any) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification, or the reimbursement or advancement of expenses of the claimant is proper in the circumstances, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its members, if any) that the claimant is not entitled to indemnification or the reimbursement or advancement of expenses, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant is not so entitled.
Section 9.3 Nonexclusivity of Right.
The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of these Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of members, if any, or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 9.4 Indemnification of Members.
The Corporation shall hold Corporation members harmless and defend all claims for personal injury or property damage arising out of the Corporation’s activities in the same manner as provided for directors and officers under Sections 9.1, 9.2, and 9.3, and only to the extent that such claims, damages, and injuries are not caused by the negligent act or omission of a member to perform required maintenance or other operations or by any member violation of applicable laws or regulations.
Section 9.5 Insurance, Contracts, and Funding.
The Corporation may maintain insurance at its expense to protect itself and any director, trustee, officer, employee, agent or member of the Corporation or another corporation, Membership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such persons against such expense, liability or loss under the Washington Business Corporation Act, as applied to nonprofit corporations. The Corporation may, without further action of the Corporation’s members, enter into contracts with any director or officer of the Corporation in furtherance of the provisions of this Article and may create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of such amounts as may be necessary to effect indemnification as provided in this Article.
Section 9.6 Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation.
The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification and pay expenses in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the provisions of this Article with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation or pursuant to rights granted pursuant to, or provided by, the Washington Business Corporation Act, as applied to nonprofit corporations, or otherwise.
Article 10. Bylaws
Bylaws of the Corporation may be adopted by the Board of Directors at any regular meeting or any special meeting called for that purpose, so long as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of these Articles of Incorporation. The authority to make, alter, amend or repeal Bylaws is vested in the Board of Directors and may be exercised at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.
Article 11. Incorporators
The name and address of the incorporators of the Corporation are:
Name |
Address |
Jurisdiction |
Article 12. Registered Office and Agent
The address of the initial registered office of the Corporation shall be _________________________________, Washington 98_______. The name of the initial registered agent of the Corporation at such address shall be _________________.
Article 13. Amendments
These Articles of Incorporation may be amended as allowed by the Washington Non‑profit Corporation Act and pursuant to a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have signed these Articles of Incorporation:
(Signature)
Print name:
Date:
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(Signature)
Print name:
Date:
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(Signature)
Print name:
Date:
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(Signature)
Print name:
Date:
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[add others as appropriate]
CONSENT TO SERVE AS REGISTERED AGENT
I, _____________________, hereby consent to serve as Registered Agent in the State of Washington for the SWMA. I understand that as agent for the corporation, it will be my responsibility to receive service of process in the name of the corporation; to forward all mail to the corporation; and to immediately notify the Office of the Secretary of State in the event of my resignation or of any changes in the registered office of the corporation for which I am agent.
DATED: ________________________________.
(Signature of agent)
Address of Registered Office and Agent:
Exhibit B
BYLAWS
of the
SPOKANE REGIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ALLIANCE
The Board of Directors of the Spokane Regional Solid Waste Management Alliance (the “Corporation”) hereby adopts the following Bylaws:
Article 1. Offices
Section 1.1 Principal Office.
The principal office of the Corporation shall be located at its principal place of business or such other place as the Board of Directors may designate. The Corporation may have such other offices, either within or outside of the State of Washington, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business of the Corporation may require.
Section 1.2 Registered Office and Agent.
The Corporation’s initial registered office and registered agent shall be as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation. The registered agent and the address of the registered office may be changed by the Board of Directors.
Article 2. Membership
Section 2.1 Members.
The Corporation shall have one class of members consisting the following initial members: the City Airway Heights, Washington (“Airway Heights”), the City of Cheney, Washington (“Cheney”), the City of Deer Park, Washington (“Deer Park”), the City of Fairfield, Washington (“Fairfield”), the City of Latah, Washington (“Latah”), the City of Liberty Lake, Washington (“Liberty Lake”), the City of Medical Lake, Washington (“Medical Lake”), the City of Millwood (“Millwood”), the City of Rockford, Washington (“Rockford”), the City of Spangle, Washington (“Spangle”), the City of Spokane, Washington (“Spokane”), the City of Spokane Valley, Washington (“Spokane Valley”), the City of Waverly, Washington (“Waverly”) and Spokane County, Washington
Members may withdraw pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.2 of the Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Solid Waste Handling, Transfer and Disposal, dated __________, and added pursuant to Section 8.3 of that Agreement.
Section 2.2 No Voting Rights.
Except as expressly provided in this Section 2.2, the Members of the Corporation shall not be members within the meaning of RCWChapter 24.06 RCW and shall not have the authority to manage or vote on any matters related to the business and affairs of the Corporation. Each Member shall have the right to appoint one Director and one Alternate Director to represent such Member on the Board of Directors pursuant to the terms of the Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Solid Waste Handling, Transfer and Disposal, dated _____________. Voting shall be pursuant to Section 3.6 of that Agreement.
Section 2.3 Meetings.
Because Members do not have voting rights and because each Member appoints a representative Director and Alternate Director to the Board of Directors, there shall be no annual or special meetings of the membership.
Article 3. Board of Directors
Section 3.1 General Powers.
The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors. The actions of the Board shall be consistent with and shall effectuate the terms of that certain Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Solid Waste Transfer and Disposal, dated _____________. (“Agreement”). The Board shall have the power to do, but shall not be limited to, the following:
(A) Acquire, construct, receive, own, manage, lease, sell, and otherwise dispose of real property, personal property, intangible property, and the facilities of the Corporation;
(B) Plan, develop, operate, replace, and maintain the facilities of the Corporation;
(C) Enter into contracts with a Member or other person or entity for goods, services, work, or other benefits to the Corporation;
(D) Borrow money and issue debt instruments or provide for the borrowing of money and issuance of debt instruments;
(E) Receive gifts or grants for the planning, design, development, construction, or operation of the facilities of the Corporation, or for the assets or programs to further the Corporation’s purposes, or for other purposes necessary to carry out the purposes of the Corporation;
(F) Lend money or provide services or facilities to any Member or other governmental utility or governmental service provider in furtherance of the Corporation’s purposes;
(G) Invest Corporate funds;
(H) Sue and be sued;
(I) Hire and fire employees of the Corporation;
(J) Fix salaries, wages and other compensation of officers and employees;
(K) Employ or retain engineering, legal, financial or other specialized personnel and consultants as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the Corporation;
(L) Impose, alter, regulate, control, and collect rates, charges, and assessments;
(M) Purchase insurance and participate in pooled insurance and self-insurance programs
(N) Indemnify Members, officers, and employees in accordance with applicable law;
(O) Establish policies, guidelines, or rules to carry out the Corporation’s powers and responsibilities;
(P) Convene or appoint committees and advisory bodies as the Board deems appropriate for Member or public review and comment on Corporate matters, efficient staff and Board work, or any other purpose in the best interests of the Corporation and consistent with applicable law;
(Q) Exercise all other powers within the authority of, and that may be exercised individually by all of, the Members with respect to sewage or wastewater conveyance, treatment, disposal, reclamation, reuse, conservation, or other Corporate purposes or functions as set forth in the Agreement; and
(R) Take any other actions as the Board deems necessary to implement a comprehensive plan and to protect and advance the interests of the Corporation, its property and other assets, its Members, and its ratepayers that are consistent with the Agreement, Chapter 39.34 RCW, and other applicable law.
Section 3.2 Number and Types.
The Board of Directors shall consist of one Director from each Member appointed by the legislative body of each Member.
Section 3.3 Qualification and Representation. [Subject to Revision.]
Subsection 3.3.1 ______________________.Director Qualification.
Each Director must be an elected official of the Member that has appointed that Director.
Subsection 3.3.2 Alternate Director.
Each Member shall appoint an Alternate Director to serve when the Member’s Director is not available. The Alternate Director is not required to be an elected official of the Member.
Subsection 3.3.3 Director Removal.
The Director and alternate Director of each Member appointed to the SWMA Board shall serve at the will and discretion of the legislative body of that Member. Any Member may remove its Director or Alternate Director from the SWMA Board at any time. In the event that a Member’s Director or Alternate Director is so removed, is no longer qualified to serve on, or otherwise departs from the SWMA Board, that Member’s legislative body shall promptly appoint a new Director or Alternate Director to the SWMA Board.
Subsection 3.3.4 Joint Representation.
It is the Members’ intent that a representative on the SWMA Board will represent his or her Member . The Alternate Director local government in voting and acting as a SWMA Board member. Upon request to, and approval by the Board, one or more Members may agree to be represented at SWMA by another Member’s Director (a “representative Director”). A representative Director shall be an elected official. Such an agreement shall be in writing and approved by a Member’s legislative authority.
Section 3.4 Appointment of Directors.
Subsection 3.4.1 Initial Directors.
Each initial Director and Alternate Director named in the Articles of Incorporation shall serve until he or she resigns, becomes disqualified to serve as a Director or Alternate Director, or is removed or replaced by the Member that he or she represents.
Subsection 3.4.2 Successor Directors.
Each Director and Alternate Director shall be appointed by the legislative body of the Member that each respective Director and Alternate Director is to represent.
Section 3.5 Vacancies.
A vacancy in a Director or an Alternate Director position shall be filled promptly by the Member who appointed the predecessor Director or Alternate Director. Vacancies may occur or arise by removal, disqualification, or resignation, as described below, or by other means.
Subsection 3.5.1 Removal.
A Director or Alternate Director may be removed at any time by, and at the sole discretion of, the Member that appointed the respective Director or Alternate Director. The removal of a Director or Alternate Director shall constitute a vacancy of that position.
Subsection 3.5.2 Disqualification.
Whenever a Director or Alternate Director is no longer qualified to serve as a Director or Alternate Director pursuant to these Bylaws, that Director or Alternate Director shall cease to be a Director or Alternate Director and his or her position shall be considered vacant.
Subsection 3.5.3 Resignation.
Any Director or Alternate Director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Chairperson or the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal office or registered office of the Corporation, or by giving written notice at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified in the notice, or if the time is not specified, upon delivery of the notice. Upon the effective date of the resignation, that position shall be considered vacant. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 3.6 Compensation and Expenses.
Directors and Alternate Directors shall not receive compensation for their service as Directors and Alternate Directors. Consistent with any applicable law, Directors and Alternate Directors may receive reimbursement for expenditures incurred on behalf of the Corporation.
Article 4. Actions of Board of Directors
Section 4.1 Regular Meetings.
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be specified as to the date, time and place for the holding of such regular meetings by the adoption of a resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.2 Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the written request of the Chairperson or a majority of Directors. Notice of special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be made as set forth in Section 4.5.
Section 4.3 Meetings by Telephone.
Members of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of such Board of Directors by means of a conference telephone or similar communication equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time and the participation complies with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30,42.30 RCW, as may be amended. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
Section 4.4 Place of Meetings.
All meetings shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place within the State of Washington designated by the Board of Directors, by any persons entitled to call a meeting, or by a waiver of notice signed by all of the Directors and Alternate Directors.
Section 4.5 Notice of Meetings.
Where notice of a meeting of the Board of Directors is required by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, such notice shall be given to each Director and Alternate Director in writing or by personal communication with Director or Alternate Director not less than five (5) calendar days before the meeting. Notices in writing may be hand delivered or sent by U.S. mail, or facsimile transmission to the Director or Alternate Director at his or her address shown on the records of the Corporation. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, the meeting need be specified in the notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a notice is delivered by mail, the notice shall be deemed effected when deposited in the official government mail properly addressed with postage prepaid. If notice is given by facsimile transmission, the notice shall be deemed effective upon receipt of the facsimile transmission confirmation showing the facsimile transmission was received at the Director’s or Alternate Director’s facsimile number shown on the records of the Corporation. Facsimile transmission of any signed original document, and retransmission of any signed facsimile transmission shall be the same as delivery of an original document. At the request of the Secretary, any person will confirm facsimile transmitted signatures by signing an original document.
Section 4.6 Waiver of Notice.
Subsection 4.6.1 Written Waiver of Notice.
Whenever any notice is required to be given to any Director or Alternate Director under the provisions of these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or applicable Washington law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the waiver of notice of such meeting.
Subsection 4.6.2 Waiver of Notice by Attendance.
The attendance of a Director or Alternate Director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Director or Alternate Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 4.7 Quorum.
The attendance of a majority of Directors (or their respective Alternate Directors) shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors. For purposes of these Bylaws, “majority” shall mean a number more than one-half of Members represented by Directors. If a quorum is not present at a meeting, any one Director present may adjourn the meeting.
Section 4.8 Manner of Acting.
The act of the Directors (or their respective Alternate Directors) present at a meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, when enacted pursuant to the following
Subsection 4.8.1 Procedures and voting.
A Member’s alternate Director shall vote in place of that Member’s Director when the Director is absent or unavailable or when the Director position is vacant., except as provided in Section 4.8.3. The SWMA Board shall establish procedures for conducting its meetings consistent with Roberts Rules of Order or other rules deemed appropriate, and its decisions shall be by a majority vote except when a super majority vote is required, as provided below.
Subsection 4.8.2 Majority Voting.
Each action of the SWMA Board shall be by majority vote, or by super majority vote under Section 4.8.3. A majority vote shall consist of the votes of directors (alternate or representative Directors) representing
(A) the votes of directors (or alternative Directors) representing at least forty-five percent (45%) of the total population of all Members; and
(B) the votes of a majority of all Members.
Subsection 4.8.3 Super Majority Votes.
(A) A supermajority vote shall consist of the votes of Directors (or representative Directors) representing
(A) the votes of Directors (or Representative Directors) representing (1) at least forty-five percent (45%) of the total population of all Members; and
(B) the votes of (2) at least sixty percent (60%) of all Members.
(B) (C) Super Majority Required.
(D) The following actions shall require a two-thirds weighted vote by the SWMA Board:
(E) (1) Approval or amendment of the Plan;
(F) (2) Revisions to the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or dissolution of the SWMA non-profit corporation;
(G) (3) Issuance of bonds or other indebtedness;
(H) (4) Establishment of tipping fees and rates;
(I) (5) Establishment of any payment requirements directly from Members, in addition to Tipping Fees for use of the SWMA System;
(J) (6) Employment of an executive director;
(K) (7) Approval of contracts [all?; ≥ a fixed or variable amount]a contract providing for SWMA expenditures in excess of $100,000;
(L) (8) Member removal; and
(M) (9) Member addition; andprovided initial membership shall not require super majority approval.
(C) (N) Dissolution.
Subsection 4.8.4 Member Population.
For purposes of this Section 4.8, a Member’’s population shall be determined from information maintained by the State of Washington Office of Financial Management (or successor agency) as of December 31 of the calendar year before the year in which a vote is taken.
Section 4.9 Presumption of Assent.
A Director (or, where authorized by these Bylaws to cast a vote, an Alternate Director) of the Corporation present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken, unless the Director’s or Alternate Director’s dissent or abstention is entered in the minutes of the meeting or the Director or Alternate Director files a written dissent or abstention to such action with the person acting as secretary of the meeting before the adjournment of the meeting or forwards such dissent or abstention by registered mail to the Secretary of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent or abstain shall not apply to a Director or Alternate Director who voted in favor of such action.
Section 4.10 Open Public Meetings.
Meetings of the Board are subject to the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 43.20 RCW. Accordingly, the Board shall ensure that its deliberations are conducted openly and that the actions of the Corporation are taken openly.
Section 4.11 Procedure.
The Board shall conduct its meetings consistent with Robert’s Rules of Order on Parliamentary Procedure, so far as applicable and when not inconsistent with these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation, the Agreement, or any resolution of the Board. The Board may adopt additional rules of procedure to govern the conduct of its meetings.
Article 5. Officers
Section 5.1 Officers.
The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairperson, one Vice Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. Other officers and assistant officers may be elected or appointed by the Board of Directors, such officers and assistant officers to hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as may be provided by resolution of the Board of Directors. Any officer may be assigned by the Board of Directors any additional title that the Board of Directors deems appropriate. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of Chairperson and Secretary.
Section 5.2 Election and Term of Office.
The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors. Unless an officer resigns or is removed or replaced, he or she shall hold office until the next annual election by the Board of Directors or until the officer’s successor is elected and assumes the office, whichever is later.
Section 5.3 Vacancies.
A vacancy in any office created by the resignation, removal, replacement, or any other cause may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term or for a new term established by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.4 Resignation.
Any officer may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, the Secretary or the Board of Directors or by giving oral or written notice at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified in the notice, or if the time is not specified, upon delivery of the notice and, unless otherwise specified in the notice, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 5.5 Removal.
Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed from office by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.
Section 5.6 Chairperson.
The Chairperson shall preside over meetings of the Board of Directors. The Chairperson may sign deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments, except when the signing and execution thereof have been expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or are required by law to be otherwise signed or executed by some other officer or in some other manner. In general, the Chairperson shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chairperson and such other duties as are assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.7 Vice Chairperson.
In the event of the death of the Chairperson or his or her inability to act, the Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson, except as may be limited by resolution of the Board of Directors, with all the powers of, and subject to, all of the restrictions upon the Chairperson. The Vice Chairperson shall have, to the extent authorized by the Chairperson or the Board of Directors, the same powers as the Chairperson to sign deeds, mortgage, bonds, contracts or other instruments. The Vice Chairperson shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chairperson or the Board of Directors.
Section 5.8 Secretary.
The Secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of meetings of the members and the Board, and minutes which may be maintained by committees of the Board; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records of the corporation; (d) keep records of the post office address of each member and Director and of the name and post office address of each officer; (e) sign with the Chairperson, or other officer authorized by the Chairperson or the Board, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments; and (f) in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chairperson or the Board.
Section 5.9 Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation; receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such moneys in the name of the corporation in banks, trust companies or other depositories selected in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws, the Agreement, and applicable law; and in general perform all of the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chairperson or the Board.
Section 5.10 Salaries.
The officers shall serve without salary unless they are employees of the Corporation. No officer shall be prevented from receiving a salary by reason of the fact that he or she is a Director or Alternate Director of the Corporation. Consistent with any applicable law, officers may receive reimbursement for expenditures incurred on behalf of the Corporation upon approval of the Board of Directors.
Article 6. Employees
Subject to the other provisions of these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may establish such positions of employment as it deems desirable and shall fix the salaries for such positions; provided, there shall be created and maintained the position of Executive Director. This position shall be responsible for implementing Board policy and for general administration of the Alliance functions.
The Executive Director shall have sole authority to appoint persons to fill other positions created by the Board, or to dismiss or discipline such persons. The appointments shall be based on ability and training appropriate for the position. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the Board and its members shall deal with policy implementation or administrative services solely through the Executive Director and neither the Board nor any of its members shall give directions or orders to employees subordinate to the Executive Director. Nothing in this Article shall prevent the Board from freely and fully discussing with the Executive Director anything pertaining to appointments and removals of subordinate employees.
Article 7. Administrative Provisions
Section 7.1 Books and Records of the Corporation.
The Corporation shall keep at its principal or registered office copies of its current Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws; correct and adequate records of accounts and finances; minutes of its proceedings; records of the name and address of each Member, Director, Alternate Director, and officer; and such other records as may be necessary or advisable. All books and records of the Corporation shall be open at any reasonable time to inspection by any Director or Alternate Director.
Section 7.2 Books and Records of Members.
Any Director or a representative of that Director may examine the books and records of any Member which relate to the Corporation (including, but not limited to, the Corporation’s assets, property, facilities, governance, and finance). After provision of reasonable notice, such books and records may be examined at any reasonable time during business hours of that Member. The Board may appoint an auditor or accountant to review any such books and records and the costs of such review shall be charged to the Corporation, which in turn may include such costs as an expense to be shared jointly among all Members.
Section 7.3 Accounting Year.
The accounting year of the Corporation shall be the twelve months ending December 31 of each year.
Article 8. Amendments
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by a super majority vote of the Board of Directors.
THE FOREGOING BYLAWS were adopted by the Board of Directors on ___________________________, __________.
Secretary
Exhibit C
ADMINISTRATIVE AND TREASURY SERVICES CONTRACT WITH SPOKANE COUNTY
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1. In the last year there have been over 10 reported anti-Muslim hate crimes in the Northwest. U.S. Attorney for the Western Washington region, Jenny Durkan, wrote in an Op-Ed published April 6 that “fear and prejudice cannot be allowed to define who is welcome and who will be ostracized.” Do you commit to publicly confronting bigotry against any race, religion, or other protected classes, including bigotry against Muslims?
2. A 2009 report by the Asian Law Caucus cited numerous reports of racial profiling and religious discrimination that targeted the American Muslim, South Asian, and Middle Eastern communities. That report found that “overbroad and intrusive questioning of ordinary Americans at the border doesn’t just violate their constitutionally protected rights, it instills fear, anxiety, and insecurity in targeted communities, inhibits cultural exchange, and strains U.S. diplomatic relationships abroad.” Do you commit to stopping the harassment of Muslims by border-protection agencies and airport security? If so, how do you plan to act? Please explain.
3. The Southern Poverty Law Center released its 2011 Intelligence Report: “Jihad Against Islam” that documents the “reckless and bare-knuckled campaign to vilify a distinct class of people and compromise their fundamental civil and human rights.” Additionally, the American Muslim community has been scrutinized by the Islam Radicalization Hearings being held by some Congressional members. These acts of prejudice and hatred are detrimental to the American Muslim community and have only increased the negative stereotype of American Muslims. How do you plan to engage and involve the Muslim community in visible political activities in order to combat hysteria and promote understanding in our communities?
4. Reductions in bus routes and delays in expanding light rail service have burdened many low income communities unfairly as gas prices rise. What can be done to improve the accessibility of transportation for low income communities?
5. Ward Connerly, the founder of the California Civil Rights Initiative, Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, and American Civil Rights Initiative, has been instrumental in campaigning for an end to affirmative action programs across the country. His latest campaign involved a repeal of the Supreme Court’s decision upholding affirmative action programs within public universities and received no endorsements from other civil rights groups. After helping to pass I-200 in the state of Washington, he took his campaign to Michigan where he thanked the KKK for endorsing his initiative. How do you plan to support under-served communities of color who are perpetually denied equal opportunities while the law denies this reality? Do you support affirmative action and the repeal of I-200?
6. The death of John T. Williams has demonstrated the need for stronger diversity training among law enforcement officers and agencies. A report by the Public Research Associates found trainings promoted as “anti-terror” programs in Washington State and across the nation actually promote racial and ethnic bias. Will you push for and support an end to these damaging programs? How will you encourage positive diversity and sensitivity training programs for all law enforcement personnel? Please explain your position(s).
7. Students in middle and junior high school are educated about the Holocaust, Japanese-American incarceration, and tolerance through literature and history. Will you push for and support a supplemental curriculum consistent with the methods used for teaching the aforementioned periods of American history and which accurately describes the challenges facing American Muslims and promotes an accurate understanding of the American Muslim experience?
8. How can your office prevent the bullying of American Muslim youth in schools that stems from perceived racial, ethnic, or religious affiliations?
9. Will you push for and support the creation of an Office of Immigrant Affairs within the City of Seattle that can coordinate immigrant integration strategy at the highest, cross departmental level for the growing population of immigrants and refugees in Seattle? Please explain your answer. [King County Candidates Only]
10. How can our cities enhance the resettlement services and opportunities available to new-comers and immigrant communities across the state? For King County candidates, how do you plan to engage and involve the Somali Muslim community to enhance their standards of living and benefit the county in general?
11. Throughout the United States, many municipalities and states have taken the enforcement of federal immigration laws into their own hands by participating in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agreements of Cooperation in Communities to Enhance Safety and Security (ACCESS) programs. One Department of Homeland Security-sponsored program, called 287(g), allows local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws. Despite numerous studies that have highlighted problems with these programs, ranging from ineffectiveness to deterioration of trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, these programs persist. Do you support local enforcement of federal immigration laws, including 287(g) and Secure Communities? If so, under what conditions? Please explain.
12. How will you support education and other social services affected by cutbacks in state spending so that our children, elderly, and poor do not suffer the heaviest burden?
Name: Michael J. Noder
Age: 53
Birthday: August 1, 1957
High School: Cheney H.S., Ben Eielson H.S. in Fairbanks, Alaska & Chicopee Comprehensive in Massachusetts. (Military Dependent during H.S. years)
High School graduation year: 1975
College: Classes for no credit at Gonzaga & Eastern Washington University and additional classes at S.F.CC.
College degree and year: I have not pursued academic degrees
Other education: Studied economics and the financial press most of my adult life. I favor the Austrian School of economic thought and admire economists such as Hayek, Schumpeter and Friedman. I respect Keynes, but disagree with him in defense of economic Liberty.
Current employer: Self
Current job title: Candidate for Spokane City Mayor
Military service (include dates of service): NA
List experience that you believe is relevant as a member of government committees, neighborhood councils or nonprofit boards or in past employment: What is relevant and important in our Mayor is honesty and a strong understanding of the proper role of government under a constitutional republic. I can offer no experience that fully prepares a person for such a responsibility, but clearly understand the duty of an elected representative. I swear to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and rest assured that I mean it.
Have you ever been charged with a misdemeanor or felony? Yes, when I was nine years old, for basically trespassing on a military installation with a group of kids that caused minor damage to a construction site. I have no felony record.
Have you ever declared bankruptcy? No
Are you single, married, divorced or in a domestic partnership recognized by the state of Washington? I am single. Do you have children? No
If so, please list their ages as of Jan. 1, 2012. NA
What is the best contact number to reach you if we need to clarify your responses? (509) 370-1584 / mike@mikeforspokane.com / @mikenoder on Twitter / Mike Noder on Facebook.
QUESTIONS ON THE ISSUES
OVERALL
1. Why do you feel that you are the best candidate?
Answer. I believe I am best candidate because I am dedicated to reducing the size, cost and scope of government. I plan to reverse the rapidly growing costs and impositions of government on the lives and incomes of individual citizens.
2. What is your top priority and how specifically would you work to achieve your top priority?
Answer #1: Reduce the size, cost and scope of government.
Answer #2: Separate city utilities from current tax enhancement schemes, which create the incentive to raise overall costs as opposed to reducing them. Adopt free and near free digital information platforms that increase speed & clarity in the dissemination of city documents and information. Use an annual attrition rate of approximately 3% annually to reduce the total number of city employees. Possibly remove another 1-2% due to poor-performance or criminal conduct. Support opportunities for top performing employees to advance through expanded public & private sector opportunities. Create employee incentives for increasing tax and ratepayer value. Restate and re-task accounting reports and performance metrics so they are clearly understandable to the general public and our elected representatives.
How Spokane delivers city services and conducts governmental affairs, relative to the fundamentals of Constitutional government, is the primary determining factor in long-term, healthy economic growth.
BUDGET AND TAXES
3. Given the expected $7 million shortfall between the revenue the city expects in 2012 and the amount needed to maintain current services, should the city maintain a youth department? Should the city maintain an arts department? Should the city maintain a weights and measures department? Are there other city services that you would consider eliminating?
Answer #1: The city should not maintain a youth department. Schools, parks, neighborhood councils, charity organization and private sector initiatives are better suited to oversee such activities. I will consider city involvement with youth services in conjunction with the library system, otherwise I want youth services out of city government.
Answer #2: Arts should go with parks and be administered there when possible. I prefer private sector funding as opposed to tax payer funding of the arts
Answer #3: Yes, the city should absolutely maintain a weights & measures department.
4. Do you support increasing hotel taxes to help balance the budget?
Answer: No, I support reducing and eventually eliminating this tax.
5. Spokane has one of the highest utility tax rates in the state. Would you consider implementing a local business and occupation tax, as many cities in western Washington have done, as a way to lower the utility tax or other city taxes?
Answer: No, I would consider lowering the cost of utilities and establish a goal of eliminating the utility tax completely. The city should either provide a basic utility service or tax the service, but not both. Why would the City ever lower the cost of a utility service or the taxes added under the current incentive system?
6. Do you support collective bargaining rights of government employees?
Answer: No, collective bargaining is not a right, it is a power. I am personally against subverting the individual interests of union members to a collective; however, I view this as a decision of city employees. As Mayor I represent the citizens, not the unions specifically, and will seek the best value proposition that I can for all citizens and rate payers. I am concerned with the tendency of collective bargaining to make government services uncompetitive relative to private sector comparisons. I am even more concerned with the tendency of collective bargaining agreements to punish individual performance while rewarding the poor performance of others.
7. The city recently has lobbied the Legislature to amend state law regarding binding arbitration so that if contract negotiations stall between the city and a union representing firefighters or police officers, an arbitrator could consider additional factors when setting wages and benefits, such as a city’s ability to pay and to maintain a reserve fund. Do you support this change to state law?
Answer: I don’t like the state or the Federal government telling us how to manage our affairs here in Spokane. If it is all the same with the city employees, I prefer we establish our own dispute resolution agreement. I am representing the citizens, not the unions specifically, but want and need city employees treated fairly.
I am going to gradually reduce the total number of city employees over time and do not plan to deliver all services in the same manner as in the past. Our city desperately needs to evolve and adapt to rapidly changing economic conditions. I understand how this threatens some jobs, but to ignore reality threatens many more jobs and future opportunities.
UTILITIES
8. City officials increased sewer charges by 17 percent last year and predict more increases the next few years in large part to pay for nearly $650 million for projects required by the state to improve sewage treatment and prevent untreated sewage from spilling into the river. Do you support sewage fee increases that could top 10 percent in each of the next couple of years? If not, what would be your preferred alternative?
Answer: I would prefer to sue the State of Washington, for dumping unfunded mandates on us, but the mismanagement of city interests also appear to be a huge problem. I am disgusted with government engineered waste of tax payer money. The improvements are providing marginal environmental gains. We clearly needed more capacity and steadily increasing environmental standards goes with upgrades, but we did not need $650 million worth of improvements. It is doubtful the final cost will stay this low.
I do not have an immediate answer to this economic black hole, but expect long-term utility bonds will be part of the solution/penalty. I will have to see clear and understandable financial statements before commenting much further on this unpleasant subject.
9. City leaders decided last year to change the city’s water rate structure to lower the rate paid by customers who use less and increase the rate paid by users of more water. Do you support this concept?
Answer: No. If the city is to be the sole provider of water to many of our citizens, it should be focusing on delivering this resource at the best price and in the safest manner possible.
10. Should the city continue to use the Waste-to-Energy Plant to dispose trash collected within Spokane?
Answer: Probably not, but will likely do so for a couple more decades. The WTE plant should not have been built at the current location for many environmental and safety reasons. The current cost of the city solid waste system is probably twice current market pricing for similar levels of service. The WTE plant is not an economically viable, long-term solution to the region’s solid waste needs, despite the $millions our city and state government has spent to market and advertise otherwise.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
11. Do you support tax incentives for historic renovation?. Do you support tax incentives for building condos and apartments downtown and in certain neighborhood centers?
Answer #1: No
Answer #2: No. I favor no individual or group with tax payer revenue or credits.
12. Do you support the use of tax-increment financing?
Answer: No. I favor a uniform and predictable form of public financing. We should tax equally or not at all.
13. Many candidates are focused this campaign season on job creation. Should the city actively try to create jobs? If so, what should it do?
Answer #1: No
Answer #2: The role of city government is to ensure core utilities at the best value/price possible and to provide the governmental framework under which individuals and companies can live and prosper fairly. The job of getting a job is the job of the individual, not government.
Spokane should be attractive and enjoyable to individuals as a place to live and its government should be competent and competitive if we want to attract new businesses and investments to our community.
14. Where should the city allow the construction of large retail stores, such as Target or Walmart, within city limits?
Answer: I want these businesses located in the city so my fellow citizens don’t have to travel to other jurisdictions to shop and spend. I believe strongly in defending property rights; however, I respect and protect the greater community interests. I am likely to defer to the Neighborhood Councils directly impacted by the location or expansion of such businesses in our city. I encourage all would-be businesses that may locate in the Spokane area to engage immediate neighborhoods early and often regarding their specific growth plans.
I do not believe it is the government’s responsibility to create jobs, nor do I believe Spokane’s government should chase jobs away. If these stores want to locate here, we have people capable of running them.
PUBLIC SAFETY
15. Do you support the use of red light cameras? If so, do you support diverting ticket revenue from a fund for traffic safety projects to help balance the budget?
Answer #1:: Not under the current configuration.
Answer #2: I support sound traffic control management uninfluenced by revenue enhancement schemes, particularly those that primarily benefit private sector interests.
16. Do you support the decision to have a full-time police ombudsman? Do you believe that the ombudsman should have the authority to conduct independent investigations into alleged police misconduct?
Answer #1: Yes
Answer #2: Yes
17. Would you support a law, modeled after a law in Seattle, to make misdemeanor possession of marijuana by an adult the city’s lowest enforcement priority?
Answer: Yes. I don’t want these cases in the judicial system, but want law enforcement to have discretion when such activities appear to threaten the rights and liberties of other citizens. Driving under the influence or providing access to minors are examples of legitimate law enforcement interest in marijuana related matters.
This can be a perplexing governmental matter, but Constitutional restraint is the only path that will reverse the massive economic incentives and chaos our drug laws contribute to.
18. The Spokane Fire Department’s goals for response times (arrive on scene within 8 minutes and 30 seconds 90 percent of the time) are significantly lower than standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (arrive on scene within 5 minutes 90 percent of the time). Given the city’s budget problems, do you have proposals to improve response times?
Answer: I would like emergency response units on the scene in under five minutes, and larger more expensive equipment, that is dangerous at high speeds, on scene in under ten minutes. The goal of the city is to save lives, everything else can and should be insured.
19. Given the recent finding of a bomb placed along the annual route of the Martin Luther King Jr. march in Spokane, what should be the role of the city’s Human Rights Commission?
Answer: Why are these two even related? One is criminal and is a matter to be handled by law enforcement and our judicial system.
The City of Spokane should operate at all times within the confines of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. In all of recorded history, humans arguably have never had more rights and Liberties than we do under our Constitutional Republic.
LIBRARIES, PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT
20. Spokane’s library system offers significantly fewer hours than many of the 20 largest cities in Washington. Would you be willing to ask voters for a tax to boost this service as was requested earlier this year by the city library board?
Answer: Not likely. City Library services need to evolve. The delivery of information services have been migrating rapidly to new platforms. I encourage the Library board to recognize this changing knowledge field and to re-task existing assets to maximize informational value for the Spokane Community.
21. Do you support closing the East Side or other branches to help balance the budget?
Answer: Probably not, I would prefer to try to lease such facilities along with research and I.T. support to start-ups and private sector initiatives, particularly those in the educational and information science fields.
22. A consultant hired by the city to review city services in 2006 said that the city was not investing enough in its urban forest. Should the city do more to plant and maintain street trees. If so, how?
Answer #1: My study says we have plenty of trees.
Answer #2: We are not going to abandon our trees, will maintain and probably expand our urban forest. Citizens enjoy trees, so we will protect or replace them during the normal course of our community’s evolution. Those that want more trees are free to support this cause, but this is not automatically an obligation of city government. (I am against raising water rates and taxes on those that seek to expand our urban forest)
23. Do you support the sustainability plan promoted by Mayor Mary Verner, which was adopted by the Spokane City Council in 2010? Do you support the decision of former Mayor Dennis Hession to sign the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement?
Answer #1: No
Answer #2: No. Spokane’s reputation for green-cleaning and eco-fraud appears well deserved. The city should conserve and steadily seek improved efficiencies in all of its operations; however, I have little confidence in the economic or scientific case for binding subsequent administrations to poorly defined sustainability objectives that lack clearly understood economic impacts.
24. Some nearby cities have crafted restrictions for watering lawns during certain hours. Would you support instituting similar rules in Spokane?
Answer: Not at the present time, but have little doubt the citizens would cooperate in such a manner should the need arise.
TRANSPORTATION
25. Most city officials say that the street department has not been adequately funded to properly maintain city streets once they are reconstructed. This year, the City Council approved a $20 vehicle tab tax to boost street funding. Do you support this decision? If not, would you support a change in state law to allow the city to create a street utility fee that would be charged on city trash and water bills?
Answer #1: No
Answer #2: No
26. The city has nearly completed the projects it promised voters in the 2004 street bond. Would you support asking voters for a new street bond of a similar or greater scope? If so, should the bond include money to pay for sidewalks, bike lanes, street trees or other street improvements besides pavement from “curb-to-curb?”
Answer #1: Yes
Answer #2: Yes, but specific tree or bike programs associated with road projects must be dealt with on a case by case method and must involve the neighborhoods that are impacted. Some of the recently added bike lanes are dangerous and are located on busy thoroughfares. We want commuting bikers in corridors with fewer cars and not on heavy traffic arterials where safety threats can escalate quickly and dramatically.
27. Do you support asking voters for a sales tax to build a streetcar or trolley system in central Spokane?
Answer: No
28. Where should the city install bike lanes? Would you be willing to support the installation of a bike lane on a street if the city engineer determined that doing so could cause an intersection to earn a “failing” rating for car traffic congestion?
Answer #1: I believe we should establish bicycle corridors where there is less auto traffic. Individual neighborhoods should ultimately decide the bike routes through their immediate communities.
Answer #2: I will use road money to mitigate certain intersections that earn a failed rating when we must migrate both cars and bicycles through heavily shared spaces.
Automobile drivers do not want to run over bicycles and appreciate traffic designs that lessen such a risk. Keeping bikes and cars apart is superior to most other proposals involving bicycling in our city.
29. State leaders have said that local funding may be needed to pay to finish the North Spokane Freeway. Do you support the completion of the North Spokane Freeway south of Francis Avenue to Interstate 90? If so, would you be willing to support local taxes, fees or tolls for the freeway?
Answer #1: I have no problem paying for our share of infrastructure improvements that benefit our community directly.
Answer #2: I reserve comment on funding solutions until I have reviewed the projected costs and have consulted engineering reports. I suspect we can get it done, but I make no offer of support at this specific time.
30. Current plans for the North Spokane Freeway call for its interchange with Interstate 90 to expand I-90 to about 20 lanes wide, including onramps and service roads, in a portion of the East Central Neighborhood. Do you support this configuration?
Answer: Probably. We have taken out hundreds, possibly thousands of residential housing stock to accommodate this infrastructure project, by we I mean the State of Washington. It is a little late to be objecting to something approaching the last stages of a decades-long construction schedule. This project is probably designed to accommodate a century or more of growth at the interchange. If it accommodates long-term regional growth, alleviates congestion, increases road safety and lowers the long-term transportation impacts on citizens, I will probably support it.
We, the citizens should be consulted and allowed to vote on such increases. We have plenty of water. We live on top of an aquafir. We are NOT in Arizona. Again, we have plenty of water.
I can’t see any reason for a rate hike.
Why don’t govt officials ask the citizens? Because we will say no? Well if they know this already. They should not increase what we citizens are against.
Like it or not, majority is supposed to rule in our governmental workings and in Spokane, we are being dictated to with these rate increases, the $20 put on our automobile license fees AND now there’s talk about charging us for the mileage we dive!! NO NO NO!!!
Also, we should not have to consult and pay an arborist for us to plant trees or shrubs in our own front yards. YES there is a mandate!! You can be fined if you plant in your own front yard.
This dictatorial bashing of our citizens should be stopped.
The Red light camera penalties are also very wrong. If safety is indeed the issue, why aren’t the yellow lights lengthened? Why aren’t there controlled left turn lanes? I’ll tell you why. Becuase those were not installed for safety’s sake. They were installed to take more money from us.
They should be repealed, removed and charged to each and every member of city council who voted for them becuase they are apparently the ONLY ones who wanted them. Let them pay for the cameras and let them reimburse all the illegal tickets issued.
I want a representative and a mayor who actually care what the citizens want and will work according to the majority.
I want to keep a garden and a nice yard and I do not want to go broke doing so. The city has enough!
LEARN TO LIVE WITHIN BUDGET!!!
K. Oliver
Mike addresses the need for creating a attractive business climate for robust job creation by emphasizing local grasp with global reach in the new economy.
Indian Trail Community Forum. Mike speaks about the City Employee strategy and creating the most value for the Spokane taxpayer while creating a fair and equitable wage environment.