Winter 2023

From the President

We all love those moments when everything seems as if it’s running just as smoothly as you planned it. Whether those times relate to running a business, a city, or even a household—it’s pure magic when all the hard work pays off and your well-oiled machine is firing on all cylinders.

Until it’s not. And those are the moments we try to prepare for. The truth is, no matter how well you plan, organize, strategize, prepare, and communicate, unexpected roadblocks will inevitably arise.

In Washington, we’ve faced all kinds of emergencies—everything from floods and tsunamis to mudslides, wildfires, and even volcanic eruptions. We’re also not immune to infrastructure failures, public health crises, economic collapses, racial inequities, crime, environmental contamination, and cyber-attacks. This may be the reality of being human in this time, but it isn’t the whole of that reality. We aren’t defined by our hazards or by our hurdles. Instead, our collective response to these challenges is what makes us who we are—the ways in which we learn and improve. It’s our resilience that defines us.

Cities are built, maintained, and enriched on innovation. As the branch of government closest to the people, we must respond and rise to each occasion by listening to our residents at every turn, and tirelessly seeking solutions that help meet their needs. We must also continue to prepare—for growth, for change, and for the unexpected.

As city leaders, when we hit a roadblock, we think, “There’s got to be a better way.” And then we get to work, collaborating and getting creative to find a way. We dig deeper. We build connections with each other and surrounding communities. We never give up because we care about our communities and each other. That’s the magic of city resilience. We are the workshops of change, always striving to be better. Our residents deserve nothing less.

This issue of Cityvision explores inspirational stories of how Washington cities have confronted unforeseen challenges and emerged stronger on the other side. I see the resiliency of our 281 cities and towns everywhere I go. It’s an honor to be your partner as we go forward strengthening our communities.

Sincerely,

Betsy Wilkerson
Council President, Spokane

President, AWC

Common cause: The cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam demonstrate how partnership can keep floodwaters at bay

With its flat topography and the second-largest river drainage system in the state, the Chehalis Basin on Washington’s Pacific coast has always been prone to flooding. What once were 100-year floods have become ever more common, prompting a coalition of state agencies, conservation districts, nonprofits, tribal governments, and local governments to create a collective long-term approach to building infrastructure designed to minimize the impact of catastrophic weather conditions by bolstering flood resiliency. More

Supporting youth, building community: SEEK funding boosts local recreation and future leaders

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 pandemic. This is their story. More

Trial by fire: The City of Medical Lake models response, recovery, and resilience in the aftermath of a natural disaster

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. More

Building resilience through DEIB pandemic response efforts: Examples from seven local jurisdictions

AWC’s Benita Horn reflects on diversity and resilience with help from the cities of Spokane, Kirkland, Auburn, Shoreline, and Vancouver, as well as the Washington State Patrol and the Port of Seattle. Horn discovered that the work to achieve DEIB became more vital as cities responded to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which furthered the resilience of our communities. More

Putting Cityvision on the map!

Did you know there’s an interactive map of Cityvision feature stories and mayor profiles going back to 2016? Check it out! More

Sponsored content

Small grants make big impact

This year, the Whatcom Housing Alliance, a coalition of smart-growth advocates, economic development agencies, and housing developers, received $15,000 from the AARP Community Challenge program to host its first-ever design competition for accessory dwelling units. The grants are designed to fund quick-turnaround projects that increase community livability and spur long-term progress. More

Improving city resilience with cyber checkups: Five things cities can do now

Cities of all sizes are only one click away from a cyberattack on their systems. The more you prepare for a cybersecurity breach, the easier it will be to recover from it. Since 2016, governments in Washington have reported more than 100 cyber incidents totaling $25 million in losses—with 60 local governments reporting they were targeted by a cyberattack in just the past two years. The State Auditor’s Office offers these tips to help safeguard your system. More

Permanent fixtures: The City of Leavenworth uses measures adopted during the pandemic to plan a more resilient tourism future

Steeped in Bavarian charm and picturesque against its mountainous backdrop, the City of Leavenworth has long been an enticing destination for visitors. Then the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the town’s vibrant tourism industry. To promote social distancing during the pandemic, Leavenworth converted Front Street into an outdoor dining hall and pedestrian mall; the temporary street closure proved to be so popular it ultimately became permanent. More

Hallmark moment

In the sunset of her final term as the mayor of Twisp, Soo Ing-Moody reflects on her legacy and the town’s resiliency. More

Talking ‘bout an evolution: The City of Sumner models resiliency by adapting its community outreach to better meet the needs of its residents

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 directly to residents. More

Up from the ashes: How the 1980 Mount St. Helens cataclysm serves as a parable of resiliency

Today, as local leaders forge a way forward through the many, sometimes seemingly insurmountable, challenges that confront cities today, we reflect on the eruption of Mount St. Helens as a parable of resiliency—because the world that emerged from the ashes seemed stronger and more vibrant. More