AN ACT Relating to metropolitan park districts; and amending RCW 35.61.010, 35.61.060, 35.61.090, 35.61.250, 35.61.290, and 35.61.300.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 35.61.010, chapter 7, Laws of 1965 and RCW 35.61.010 are each amended to read as follows:

Cities of ((~~the first class~~)) fifteen thousand or more population and such contiguous property the residents of which may decide in favor thereof in the manner set forth in this chapter may create a metropolitan park district for the management, control, improvement, maintenance, and acquisition of parks, parkways, and boulevards: PROVIDED, That no municipal corporation of the fourth class shall be included within such metropolitan park district, and any such fourth class municipal corporation heretofore included within such district is hereby automatically withdrawn.

Sec. 2. Section 35.61.060, chapter 7, Laws of 1965 and RCW 35.61.060 are each amended to read as follows:

The election of metropolitan park commissioners shall be held in conjunction with and in the manner provided by the laws of the state for cities ((~~of the first class within which said metropolitan park district may be situated~~)) and towns. Nominations for the metropolitan park commissioners shall be by petition of one hundred qualified electors of the park district to be filed ((~~in the office of the city clerk for the first election and with the secretary of the metropolitan park district for all succeeding elections. Nominations~~)) with the auditor and must be filed and certified as provided by statute for cities and districts.

Sec. 3. Section 35.61.090, chapter 7, Laws of 1965 and RCW 35.61.090 are each amended to read as follows:

The manner of holding any general or special election in a metropolitan park district shall be in accordance with the general election laws of this state ((~~and charter provisions of the city within which said park district lies~~)) insofar as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.

Sec. 4. Section 35.61.250, chapter 7, Laws of 1965 and RCW 35.61.250 are each amended to read as follows:

The territory adjoining ((~~and in the same county with~~)) a metropolitan park district may be annexed to and become a part thereof upon petition and an election held pursuant thereto. The petition shall define the territory proposed to be annexed and must be signed by twenty-five registered voters, resident within the territory proposed to be annexed, unless the territory is within the limits of another city when it must be signed by twenty percent of the registered voters residing within the territory proposed to be annexed. The petition must be addressed to the board of park commissioners requesting that the question be submitted to the legal voters of the territory proposed to be annexed, whether they will be annexed and become a part of the park district.

Sec. 5. Section 35.61.290, chapter 7, Laws of 1965 and RCW 35.61.290 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any city within or comprising any metropolitan park district may turn over to the park district any lands which it may own, or any street, avenue, or public place within the city for playground, park or parkway purposes, and thereafter its control and management shall vest in the board of park commissioners: PROVIDED, That the police regulations of such city shall apply to all such premises.

At any time that any such metropolitan park district is unable, through lack of sufficient funds, to provide for the continuous operation, maintenance and improvement of the parks and playgrounds and other properties or facilities owned by it or under its control, and the legislative body of any city within or comprising such metropolitan park district shall determine that an emergency exists requiring the financial aid of such city to be extended in order to provide for such continuous operation, maintenance and/or improvement of parks, playgrounds facilities, other properties, and programs of such park district within its limits, such city may grant or loan to such metropolitan park district such of its available funds, or such funds which it may lawfully procure and make available, as it shall find necessary to provide for such continuous operation and maintenance and, pursuant thereto, any such city and the board of park commissioners of such district are authorized and empowered to enter into an agreement embodying such terms and conditions of any such grant or loan as may be mutually agreed upon.

The board of metropolitan park commissioners may accept public streets of the city and grounds for public purposes when donated for park, playground, boulevard and park purposes.

(2) Counties may turn over to the park district any park and recreation lands and equipment that they own, and the board of metropolitan park commissioners may accept such lands and equipment.

Sec. 6. Section 35.61.300, chapter 7, Laws of 1965 and RCW 35.61.300 are each amended to read as follows:

When any metropolitan park district shall be formed pursuant to this chapter and shall assume control of the parks, parkways, boulevards, and park property of the city in which said park district is created, or the metropolitan park district accepts county park and recreation lands, such park district shall assume all existing indebtedness, bonded or otherwise, against such park property, and shall arrange by taxation or issuing bonds, as herein provided, for the payment of such indebtedness, and shall relieve such city or county from such payment. Said park district is hereby given authority to issue refunding bonds when necessary in order to enable it to comply with this section.