The CityVoice Podcast

A newly elected Mukilteo councilmember embraces the art of doorbelling—and promoting diversity through continual community outreach—as hallmarks of good leadership, by Allyson Meyer, and featuring Mukilteo Councilmember Jason Moon.

AWC’s new board members model the shared experiences and leadership skills that make rural communities strong, by Sarah Chase Shaw shares the reflections of At Large small city representatives Marla Keethler of White Salmon and Dee Roberts of Raymond.

Today’s CityVoice Podcast is all about the state budget. 2024 is a short 60-day session and a supplemental budget year, but there is still a lot to explore as AWC Government Relations Director Candice Bock sits down with AWC General Counsel Sheila Gall to discuss the state budget process, legislative budget proposals, and how these may impact cities moving forward.

We sat down with AWC’s Government Relations Deputy Director, Carl Schroeder to learn more about the current landscape after the big 2023 “Housing 1.0” session—and find out what’s on Carl’s radar for this session, including hopes and concerns around land use and growth management, the potential for dedicated revenue to support housing for the lowest income levels, and how members can stay informed...

AWC lobbyist Lindsey Hueer, and Legislative Policy Analyst, Katherine Walton discuss the new State of the Cities report , The communities we serve: Evolving public safety & criminal justice services. The landscape of public safety and criminal justice has changed, and the role of cities continues to evolve. Join us to learn more about the innovative work cities are doing to address their resid...

This month, we had two great guests for AWC's bi-monthly newsletter HR Insights. AWC Government Relations Director Candice Bock sat down with Stephanie Lucash, Deputy City Manager at Kenmore, and Kristi Rowland, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer at Renton. In addition to their duties at their respective cities, both are involved with the NW Women's Leadership Academy, a professional training pro...

When the City of Sumner founded its Sumner University community outreach program more than two decades ago, the goal was to give residents a better understanding of how local government works via a series of classroom sessions and behind-the-scenes tours of city facilities. As Sumner’s community engagement process evolves, the city is focused on increasing touchpoints and taking city initiatives d...

Over the summers of 2021 and 2022, the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) partnered with the Washington Recreation & Park Association (WRPA) and AWC to create and administer a $12 million funding program for local parks and recreation initiatives designed to help children and youth reengage with nature, learning, and peers after the impacts of the COVID-19 pan...

With the Medical Lake fire and aftermath still top-of-mind, Mayor Terri Cooper and her team share ideas and advice based on their experiences. Wildfire is a reality in a warming climate, they say, and lessons learned from one disaster can help deter another by activating a community’s resilience and preparedness.

The Department of Labor & Industries plays an important role in regulating workplaces, providing industrial insurance, and enforcing labor laws and Director Joel Sacks has been at the helm of the agency since 2013. HR Insights sat down with Director Sacks to talk about his tenure at L&I, the newly announced 2024 workers’ compensation rates, and important issues facing cities and their work...

In this episode of the CityVoice Podcast, we sit down with our hard-working lobbyists to learn more about this year’s four highest legislative priorities, how the priorities were developed, and what we’re expecting for the upcoming session—plus a controversial opinion on candy corn. Don’t miss this dive into the 2024 issues that matter to cities.

Waitsburg is the only city in the state still operating under the terms of its original charter, adopted in 1881—eight years before the Washington Territory was granted statehood. The classification also explains its motto: One of a kind. Waitsburg has modernized in important ways, and these days, visitors flock there less for its history, and more for its proximity to outdoor recreation and Walla...

From the repeal of Prohibition to the rise of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging—charting AWC's advocacy for cities and the issues that have mattered most over nine decades. Read this timeline complete with images and historical information telling the story of nearly a century of city innovation through changing times.

Beyond the contributions of diverse groups are the remarkable accomplishments of individuals. AWC DEIB Consultant Benita Horn introduces us to a few lesser-known, yet no less fascinating, figures from Washington’s storied past. Don’t miss the audio content included with this story, as told by the author herself.

State-granted authority to make local decisions is as important as ever. It’s vital that cities understand and continue to advocate for home rule. To help preserve local decision-making authority, cities must effectively communicate its importance and history.

Both elected to serve Spokane, two city and county leaders from opposite ends of the political spectrum put their differences aside to model the benefits of cooperative governing.

Otto Klein, of Summit Law, sat down with AWC Government Relations Director, Candice Bock to chat about his decades of work on behalf of local governments. HR Insights shares Otto's insights about his long career, specializing in labor and employment issues, and his role in establishing AWC’s annual Labor Relations Institute conference, held in Yakima each May. 

We are in the final inning of the 2023 legislative session. CityVoice Podcast sat down again with Deputy Government Relations Director Carl Schroeder to get the latest on the array of housing bills still moving through the Legislature. Carl talks HB 1110 (middle housing), SB 5466 (transit-oriented development), HB 1337 and SB 5235 (ADUs), and HB 1628 (REET). He shares the latest updates and expect...

We’re more than half-way through the 2023 Legislative session, and just past the house-of-origin cut off. On this episode, the CityVoice Podcast talks with AWC’s Government Relations Director, Candice Bock, to get the latest (and greatest) news from the hill, including an update on some of the bills that have died—or taken on new life. Candice talks middle housing, police pursuits, and budgets too...

Washington’s infrastructure system is a complex network supporting daily life in our communities. Cities are working hard to maintain and improve the statewide system through unique and innovative approaches. This week’s episode takes a deep dive into AWC’s 2023 publication, State of the Cities: Washington’s interconnected infrastructure. We visit with the mayor of Othello and the public works dir...

AWC staff sat down with Government Relations Deputy Director, Carl Schroeder to discuss the status of housing legislation and some of the complexities facing the cities of the state. We’re about halfway through the session, and have just passed the first cutoff dates, so it’s a great time to get Carl’s expertise and updates on what’s hot (and what’s not) on the topics of zoning policy, funding for...

We sat down with AWC Government Relations Director Candice Bock to go over AWC’s recent  City Conditions Survey results. The survey asked 92 Washington cities and towns about current policy and fiscal conditions in cities. Survey findings highlight what cities are focusing on around community issues, city policy priorities, finance, housing, infrastructure, transportation, human resources, DEI, an...

Before Thanksgiving we had the chance to sit down with Summit Law Group attorney Kristin Anger . Kristin specializes in labor & employment law and has been a regular at AWC events and trainings. In the spirit of the holiday season, this month’s interview focuses on “Annual Holiday Party Pitfalls” to help cities plan end-of-the year festivities where only the fun memories live on to the New Year, a...

Your city advocates Candice, Carl, and Brandy delve into the recently adopted 2023 City Legislative Priorities. You’ll hear their take on what to expect in the upcoming legislative session along with information about the Blake decision, vehicle pursuits, infrastructure funding, housing availability and affordability, and behavioral health resources. You can also learn how to get involved with us...

It’s been just over a year since cities began receiving federal funds under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). During our Annual Conference in Vancouver this year, we held an educational session where panelists addressed complying with federal rules, how their cities are using ARPA funds, and talked through some of the lingering challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. AWC’s Jacob Ewing sat down wit...