Busy City Council Tomorrow
Tomorrow’s City Council meeting is shaping up to be quite the doozy. Between the 4 (!) public hearings and several controversial resolutions, we are expecting it to be a late evening. A few of the highlights:
- A resolution creating the International Financial Services Area (IFSA) in downtown. This was part of the Russell incentive package.
- A resolution allowing City Council members to attend committee meetings and study sessions via phone.
- An ordinance reducing, and eventually eliminating, the B&O tax for International Investment Management Service companies. (Also part of the Russell incentive package)
- The 4 public hearings: code updates in the Critical Areas Preservation Ordinance, the creation of a Revenue Development Area in downtown Tacoma, the ProLogis/BNSF proposed deal on the Prairie Line Trail, and the review of the State Auditor’s Office performance audit report about public records requests.
Whew. We hope the City Council is prepared for the long haul.
Filed under: City-Council
9 comments
E Erik B. June 17, 2008
I can only add that, given the agenda, the opportunity under Roberts Rules of Order and under the municipal code for public comment and testimony is extraordinary.
Let us count the ways. Someone could really filibuster if they had the inclination.
R RR Anderson June 17, 2008
have you got your streaming council screen capture software installed yet? should be a good show. oh yes.
N Nick June 17, 2008
… and for the record, the correct spelling is “duesie” and is actually a reference to the automaker Duesenberg (famous for its large circa 1920’s/30’s automobiles).
Not really a spelling freak, just a great excuse to share a fun fact ;-)
J Jesse June 17, 2008
“A resolution allowing City Council members to attend committee meetings and study sessions via phone.”
Are you serious??!! A lot of communication is lost when you’re not face to face. Think about a lobbiest CALLING thier congressman for thier agenda versus a face to face conversation, I mean, that IS what we’re talking about, right?. A lot is lost…
I hope Tacoma is more important to these people than to just call in to a meeting. If they’re not serious about what they’re doing than maybe they should do something else.
The importance of face to face conversation is important and recognized by almost all business – otherwise, there wouldn’t be one outside sales person at all.
N NSHDscott June 17, 2008
Last week I had my nerves steeled to give my 3 minutes in support of Tacoma’s RDA bid, as Voelpel had urged. I’m disappointed (and a little relieved) that I won’t be able to come tomorrow. I’m looking forward to reading the recaps here on Exit133!
For the record, my spiel was essentially that a lot of the Puget Sound region’s problems would be solved if Tacoma became more of a regional jobs center. For example, it would ease our transportation woes, which waste our time, our money, and pollute our air. The congestion is a direct result of too many people living in relatively affordable Tacoma yet having to commute to Seattle to have a good job.
This RDA will help Tacoma to make its downtown more attractive, which helps correct its negative regional image, which gives companies incentive to locate in (and stay put in) Tacoma, which helps keep jobs local, which reduces commutes, keeps tax dollars and worker spending in town, helps fill condos, and makes downtown a more vibrant place. What a great use of the RDA!
<tangentialrant>By building light rail from Tacoma to the airport, and thus Seattle, Sound Transit is trying to solve the effect, not the cause of the congestion problem. If Tacoma had jobs to support its population, and to give residents of Federal Way, etc. both north and south commute options, we don’t need to spend billions on regional light rail. Instead, we could raise taxes a smaller amount and build city light rail (streetcars) that Tacoma residents can take to Tacoma jobs, and make our existing Link actually useful as a commuting tool.</tangentialrant>
A altered chords June 17, 2008
I can’t make this but want to watch the proceedings on TV. When will tonights proceedings be televised?
W Whitney staff June 17, 2008
altered chords,
All City Council meetings are broadcast in real time on TV12. Tonight’s meeting starts at 5pm and goes until it’s over.
Whitney
A altered chords June 17, 2008
Thanks Whitney – the kids will be riveted.
T tom waits June 17, 2008
Nick @ #3: While “doozy” may refer to the Duesenberg, meaning an “extraordinary one of its kind,” I believe that doozy is an accepted American English spelling. “Duesy,” as spelled above, originally referred only to the car.
Also, the modern meaning of “doozy” may be a combination of the “Duesy” nickname and early slang for “daisy,” and/or the early 20th century actress, Eleonora Duse. Only the etymological gods know.