YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Yakima City Council’s legislative priorities squabble earlier this week apparently prevented a discussion about the actual priorities.

So, without further ado, here’s a list of the issues the City Council would like to see lawmakers tackle and/or stay away from when the state Legislature convenes on Jan. 11.

• Gangs — Seek sustainable, ongoing funding for gang prevention and intervention, graffiti removal programs and law enforcement suppression activities. Also support for sentencing enhancements for gang-related offenses and use of civil injunctions similar to legal process used by Los Angeles and other California cities that place checks on known gang members and enterprises.

• State funds — Ensure that committed state-shared revenues and state funds continue to be allocated to local governments. Maintain full mitigation for streamlined sales tax; continuation of the city-county assistance account, criminal justice assistance account, liquor excise tax account and liquor revolving account.

• State facilities — Oppose closure of Ahtanum View Corrections Center and the Yakima Valley School, and threatened service reductions to Yakima Valley Community College.

• Capital budget — Seek $1 million for continued funding of the Downtown Futures Initiative to complete beautification efforts and sidewalk replacement along A Street and Second Street corridors. Also seek $500,000 for retrofit of the former senior center at Miller Park that now serves as facility for the Yakima Police Athletic League.

• Economic development — Increase existing grant and loan programs to keep up with inflation. Includes such programs as the Public Works Trust Fund, Transportation Improvement Board, Washington State DOT bicycle/pedestrian programs. Increase opportunities within the Model Toxics Control Act for one-time capital investments.

• Unfunded mandates — Oppose legislation that preempts local authority or creates new regulatory mandates that could result in loss of existing revenue or revenue authority.

-- Chris Bristol