Autonomous vehicle policy and road usage charging focus of WSTC’s Oct. 15 – 16 meeting
- Written by Reema Griffith, WSTC executive director
OLYMPIA – At its October meeting, the Washington State Transportation Commission will take action on policy recommendations to the legislature on testing and deploying autonomous vehicles. The commission also will begin drafting its final report to the legislature assessing whether the state should consider implementing a Road Usage Charge system as a possible replacement to the gas tax.
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. both Tuesday, Oct. 15, and Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Transportation Building, 310 Maple Park Ave. SE, on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. The commission meeting is open to the public and persons wishing to speak to the commission may do so at public comment times at the end of each day.
On Tuesday morning, the commission will receive a briefing on a study of city transportation needs completed earlier this year for the Joint Transportation Committee. The study concluded that city transportation investments fall short by half of what is needed. In addition to the report’s findings and recommendations, commissioners will hear the reaction from two of the case study cities.
The remainder of Tuesday’s agenda is devoted to the topic of exploring a potential replacement to the gas tax to fund roads and bridges. Because gasoline is taxed by the gallon, as vehicles become more fuel efficient or switch to electric power, gas tax revenue will decline. In 2012, the legislature directed the commission to assess the potential of a road usage charge to replace the gas tax. A Road Usage Charge (RUC) is a per mile charge drivers would pay for the use of the roads, as opposed to paying by the gallon of gas.
The commission, with the assistance of a stakeholder steering committee, has determined that road usage charging is feasible and that over time it can generate more revenue than the gas tax, as cars become more fuel efficient. To test how such a system could work in Washington and evaluate different ways of recording and reporting mileage, more than 2,000 Washington drivers participated in a year-long Washington Road Usage Charge pilot project. With the conclusion of the pilot, the commission is now ready to report on its findings, including the RUC experience of other states.
Oregon, the first state in the country to implement a RUC, now has several hundred vehicles paying by the mile for using its roads. Oregon Department of Transportation staff will brief the commission about legislation enacted in Oregon earlier this year to stabilize and expand its road usage charge program.
Then, the commission will consider the work of its road usage charge steering committee, results and findings from the test-driving phase of the Washington RUC pilot project, and reactions of pilot participants, as it drafts its report recommending next steps. Commissioners will identify preliminary findings and recommendations for the 2020 legislature, and provide direction regarding the RUC Assessment Final Report. They also will discuss a proposal on gathering public input in November on the preliminary recommendations.
On Wednesday, the commission will act on several policy recommendations forwarded to it from a broad-based Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Work Group that includes members from the private sector, state and local government, and the legislature. Established in 2018, the legislature created the AV Work Group to enable Washington state to address the public policy issues raised by emerging AV technology in an informed, thorough, and deliberate manner. The briefing and discussion led by the work group chair and its subcommittees will frame the commission’s report to the Legislature and Governor on testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles in our state.
The commission also will hear a brief update on preparations for tolling the State Route 99 tunnel and receive a report on a recent study of the Interstate 405 express toll lanes by the Washington State Transportation Center. Using data from each trip made on the I-405 express toll lanes during operating hours, demographic data on census block groups, and lane speed, volume, and travel time data, the study reveals insights into how the express toll lanes are used, the benefits they provide to the region, and how these benefits are distributed among different groups of noncommercial users.
For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit: www.wstc.wa.gov/
Chelan Fire and Rescue Commissioners Meeting 10-16-18
- Written by Carol A. Kibler, Administrative Office Manager, Chelan Fire and Rescue
AGENDA
Chelan Fire and Rescue
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 3:00 P.M.
232 East Wapato, Chelan, WA
Proposed Chelan Fire and Rescue agenda pending Board approval.
Flag Salute:
Regular Meeting Call to Order:
Approve Agenda:
Public Comment:
Consent Agenda:
• Revenue and Expenditure Report: September 2019
• Payroll: $143,597.96 September 1-30, 2019 Paid: 10-05-2019
• Vouchers for September 1-30, 2019 General Account: Vouchers #19101 – 19108 for $1,807.45; Vouchers #19110 – 19117 for $,.29; Vouchers #19118 – 19136 for $9,002.64.
• Vouchers for September 1-30, 2019 Capital Account: Vouchers #17098,17099 and 19105 for $5,126.93; Voucher #19109 for $1,732.28.
• Minutes: September 18, 2019
Fire Chief Report:
• 2019 Budget / Emergency Response Report /Operations/ Community Risk Reduction
Assistant Chief Report:
• Volunteer recruitment & Retention / Training
Firefighters Association Report:
Unfinished Business:
• Badge Pinning
• Proposed 2020 Budget – schedule Budget workshop
New Business:
• Resolution 2019-06 Surplus Items; Bunker Gear and MSA items
Special Event:
10-19-2019 Firelight Gala – Sorento’s Restaurant
10-21&22, 2019 Washington State Fire Marshal Conference – Campbells Resort
10-23-26, 2019 Washington State Commissioners Association Conference – Tulalip Resort Casino
10-31-2019 Halloween – Station 71 Event
Board for Volunteer Firefighters
• Invoice - Pension
Public Comment:
Commissioner Comments: No action to be taken.
Executive Session:
Adjournment:
Public invited to comment online about stormwater management plan
- Written by Jana Ratcliff, Environmental Services Office, WSDOT
WSDOT accepting public input Oct. 7 - 18
OLYMPIA – Those who are interested in how the Washington State Department of Transportation handles stormwater runoff from highways and other paved surfaces have an opportunity to comment on a new Stormwater Management Program plan. WSDOT will consider online and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. comments on the plan starting today, Oct. 7, to Friday, Oct. 18.
WSDOT is responsible for managing stormwater from highways, rest areas, park-and-ride lots, ferry terminals and maintenance facilities in urban areas throughout the state. In spring 2019, the state Department of Ecology issued WSDOT a permit that regulates stormwater from these paved surfaces. As part of that permit, WSDOT is required to submit to Ecology a stormwater management plan by Oct. 31, describing how the agency will implement the permit’s requirements.
Any comments WSDOT receives by Oct. 18 will be considered before finalizing the plan this year. WSDOT will consider comments received after the deadline in next year’s plan update.
Managing stormwater from highways and other paved surfaces is important to traveler safety and for water quality in streams and underground water supplies. Untreated, stormwater can carry pollutants downstream and can cause flooding and erosion that might lead to roadway damage.
Manson Parks Regular Board Meeting 10-10-19
- Written by Robin Pittman
Regular Board Meeting
142 Pedoi Street, Bumgarner Building, October 10, 2019, 4:10pm
I. Call to order
II. Flag salute
III. Agenda additions and deletions
IV. Public comment
V. Approval of Minutes
a. September 12, 2019 regular meeting minutes
VI. Financial Review
a. Review monthly financial report
b. Review and approve monthly voucher
VII. Old Business
a. Leffler Field
b. Singleton Park playground renovation
c. Shoreline erosion
d. Director’s Report
VIII. New
a. 2020 preliminary budget
b. 2019 Fall newsletter
IX. Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting: November 14, 2019 at 4:10pm, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson, WA 98831
Chelan burglary suspects arrested
- Written by Chief Rick Johnson, CCSO
Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on September 23rd and 24th, several thefts, burglaries and car prowls were reported in the Chelan area. The combined property taken in these multiple crimes was over $5,000.00.
Surveillance cameras at one of the burglary sites captured a suspicious vehicle. This vehicle was later seen driving in Chelan, was stopped, and some of the stolen property was seen in the vehicle. Both the driver and passenger from the vehicle were arrested.
A search warrant was subsequently served on the vehicle, and the stolen property was returned to the owners. Other items were recovered from the vehicle, but the owners have not yet been identified.
The suspects have been charged with Burglary 2nd Degree; Theft 2nd Degree; Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance Heroin; Possession of Burglary Tools, and Vehicle Prowl 2nd Degree.
DCS seeks robbery suspect
National Board’s Accomplished District Program acknowledges Manson School District Board Certified Teachers
- Written by Janice Stewart
ARLINGTON, Va. – September 26, 2019. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards unveiled today a program that recognizes school districts across the country that work hard to promote student learning through accomplished teaching. The National Board Accomplished Districts program will initially honor 81 districts in which at least 20% of its teachers have achieved National Board certification, encouraging teachers to be their best and effectively driving student learning. The 81 Accomplished Districts come from ten states including Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington.
Manson Schools are proud to be among the top districts nationwide being recognized as National Board Accomplished Districts. We know that teachers drive student learning. One of the ways we work to assure students have access to the best teachers is to encourage teachers to become National Board certified.
“High quality teaching is the most important in-school factor impacting student learning. The districts that measured up to be included in the National Board Accomplished District program understand the value of accomplished teaching and support teachers to be their best. We encourage state and district leaders to support National Board certification because NBCTs have a measurable impact on student learning – and what parent anywhere doesn’t want the best possible teacher for their children?” said Peggy Brookins, a National Board Certified Teacher and the president and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
“Manson School District is proud of all of our professional staff. We are happy to highlight our exceptional group of Nationally Board Certified teachers who have earned this additional rigorous credential.”
Congratulations to our 2018-19 Nationally Board Certified Teachers:
Amy Anderson, Philip Fournier, Jay Fox, Anita Johanson, Steven Nygreen, Andrea Olson-Whitney, Brandy Samson, Susan Sears, Kathryn Sperling, Heather Teague, Cassandra Williams and Keitlyn Watson.
Currently, one additional teacher is working on her certification
About the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (www.nbpts.org):
East Wenatchee woman sets fire to her own house
On Tuesday September 17th Douglas County Sheriff’s office was requested by Douglas County Fire District 2 to respond to the 2700 block of Westview Drive in East Wenatchee reference a suspected arson.
A thorough investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Douglas County Fire District 2 determined that Cora L. Herbert, a 49 year old female of East Wenatchee, intentionally set a fire inside her home and left.
The home was occupied by one other person who was able to exit the home without injury.
Cora L. Herbert was subsequently arrested for arson in the first degree domestic violence and booked into CCRJ without further incident.
Manson 5th Grade Student Cuts Ribbon on New ADA Access Ramp
- Written by Janice Stewart
Manson 5th grade student Didier Chavez helped officially open a new ADA ramp at Manson Elementary. He was surrounded by his classmates and gave high fives as he drove down the ramp.
The project was funded by a grant from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) after Eric Sivertson, Operations Director for Manson School District wrote the $110,000 grant.
The project was completed by John Lodwig, Clearwater Construction.
