Tacoma City Council Meeting - April 10, 2012
CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 38465 Sets Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at approximately 5:30 p.m. as the date for a public hearing by the City Council on the proposed substantial amendment to the 2011-2012 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development. [Shelley Koeppen, Contract Specialist; Linda Villegas Bremer, Director, Human Rights and Human Services]
Resolution No. 38466 Sets Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at approximately 5:30 p.m. as the date for a public hearing by the City Council on the proposed 2012-2013 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development. [Ric Teasley, Housing Division Manager; Ryan Petty, Director, Community and Economic Development]
PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
None this week.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Two speakers voiced support for the resolution designating Biot, France as Tacoma’s newest sister city. We also heard again from Tim Smith, who last week raised questions regarding the purchase of the BearCat SWAT vehicle. Mr. Smith thanked the City for responses to his questions, and encouraged that all public commenters be taken seriously, and that the City invest in properly maintaining the vehicle.
REGULAR AGENDA
APPOINTMENTS
Resolution No. 38467 Appoints and reappoints individuals to the Sustainable Tacoma Commission and the Citizen Review Panel. [Cindy DeGrosse, Executive Secretary; Mayor Marilyn Strickland]
RESOLUTIONS
Purchase Resolution No. 38468 Awards a contract to: Lenco Armored Vehicles, in the amount of $341,024.00, plus sales tax, budgeted from the TPD Grant Fund, for a one-time purchase of a 2012 Lenco BearCat armored swat truck – General Services Administration (GSA) Contract No. GS-07F-0390M. (Continued from the meeting of April 3, 2012) [Sergeant Chris Travis, Special Investigations; Chief Don Ramsdell, Tacoma Police Department]
The item passed without comment from council.
Resolution No. 38469 Designates the Swedish Mission Tabernacle, located at 901 South 10th Street, as a city landmark and placing said property on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places. [Reuben McKnight, Historic Preservation Officer; Ryan Petty, Director, Community and Economic Development]
The Swedish Mission Tabernacle stands in the Hilltop, and offers a rare example of Beaux Arts architecture in Tacoma.
Resolution No. 38470 Designates the City of Biot, France as a Sister City. [Debbie Bingham, Program Development Specialist; Ryan Petty, Director, Community and Economic Development]
Unlike most of Tacoma’s other sister cities, Biot, France is smaller and not a port city, although it does sit on a hillside just four kilometers from the Mediterranean. What Biot shares with Tacoma, according to advocates of the relationship, is a prominence in the arts world, particularly for glasswork. Biot is home to an internationally known gallery of glass as well as a conference for glass artists. Mayor Strickland noted that if Tacoma wants to be known as an international city, these types of relationships are important to pursue. The resolution passed with a unanimous “oui” from the Council.
FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 28063 Amends the Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Program to add the Puyallup Avenue Multimodal Improvement project for eligibility in the 2012 Pierce County-wide Transportation grant funding process; and adopting said amended program for amended year 2011 and 2012-2017. [Chris Larson, Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works]
As Councilmember Fey clarified, this ordinance simply puts the Puyallup Avenue project on the list of potentially funded projects. In order to qualify for certain pools of state and federal funds, projects must be on the comprehensive plan, but being included does not automatically provide funding. City staff match available grants with potential projects from the plan that are determined to provide the best fit and most benefit.
Ordinance No. 28064 Amends Ordinance No. 21862 which established the Cumulative Reserve Fund, to remove the $10 million cap on the fund, expand the use of funds to allow for flexibility and rate stabilization, and rename the fund the Rate Stabilization Fund; and depositing $26 million from its current operating funds into the Rate Stabilization Fund for the fiscal account year 2011. [Bill Berry, Rate Planning and Analysis Section Manager; Ted Coates, Superintendent, Tacoma Power]
Ordinance No. 28065 Amends Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, and declaring the effective dates, to increase rates of pay and compensation for employees represented by Tacoma Police Union, Local 6, International Union of Police Associations. [John Dryer, Labor Relations Manager; Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources]
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None this week.
CITIZENS’ FORUM
This month’s Citizens’ Forum was a diverse one. We heard a couple commenters speak on the importance of preserving Pugnetti Park as a green space in Tacoma’s downtown, and a petition to that effect was presented to the Council, with nearly 450 signatures.
Other topics included:
• A request for better, more efficient public records request, search, and retrieval processes;
• A request that acting Fire Chief Jim Duggan be named permanent Fire Chief;
• A request that $300,000 from funds no longer slated for the Elks on Broadway project be put towards completing Sprague entranceway beautification;
• A demand for greater accountability of Tacoma police in terms of treatment of members of the community, specifically persons of color;
• A thank you from Justin Leighton for $5,000 in funds that the neighborhood council was able to distribute directly back to the community in the form of “mini-grants” for restoration efforts at Franklin Park, DASH Center winter programming, and McCarver Elementary funds for students in need of assistance purchasing school uniforms.
• And a senior from Rogers High School working on a school project spoke as practice for his senior project speech, and voiced support for the idea of Tacoma embracing its sister cities. Tyler Cruz shared with the Council his views on the potential for sister cities programs to educate about people from other cultures, and possibly prevent the type of race-related problems such as the speaker concerned about TPD raised. Well put, Mr. Cruz, and good luck to you on your senior project. Perhaps we’ll see you back at public comment again.
REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER
We were treated to a brief presentation on Tacoma’s food waste program. The much anticipated little brown bins will begin making appearances on Tacoma’s front steps on Monday. There are 54,000 to be distributed, at an anticipated rate of 4,000 a day. The containers will include instructions for proper use, and more information is available at www.tacomarecycles.org.
Mr. Broadnax also informed us that Tacoma’s Public Works Facilities Director, Jeff Jenkins, has been named manager of the year for facilities and grounds for both the U.S. and Canada. He will be officially honored in August. Congratulations Mr. Jenkins.
COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Boe gave his final plug of the year for Tacoma’s 2012 Sister Cities International Film Festival. The final film, showing at the Blue Mouse this Thursday, will be Formosa Mambo from Taichung, Taiwan. Mayor Strickland will present the film. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Boe also shared with us that Tacoma’s Sister Cities program has also been awarded the 2013 conference, and that Tacoma has been selected to receive funding as a part of an exchange program with Japan. That grant will fund training for Tacoma landscape architects, with the end goal of redesigning the Japanese garden around the pagoda at Point Defiance.
Councilmember Ibsen invited the Council and the public to the third annual potluck for the Orchard and Vine community garden at North 45th and Orchard. The potluck will be this Saturday, April 14 at 10:00.
Councilmember Fey made a promising comment for citizens concerned about preserving Pugnetti Park. Although he had no specifics on how it might be done, he is “confident” that the park will be kept as an open space. According to Mr. Fey, there is a commitment to keeping it a viable open space for the public in downtown.
Councilmember Woodards reminded us of Parks Appreciation Day, coming up next Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at parks around Tacoma. Ms. Woodards encourages Tacomans to find a participating park on the “Metro Parks website”: and join in.
Mayor Strickland mentioned the Daffodil Parade coming up this Saturday, April 14 through Downtown Tacoma and into Puyallup.
And finally, Councilmember Campbell made a note of the Cambodian festival that begins at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, after the Daffodil Parade.
ADJOURNMENT
Well, there were no first readings of ordinances this week, and next week’s tentative agenda only contains a couple items. So, we’ll have to wait to see what will appear along with the “grant proposed to fund the North Downtown sub-area plan,” and the public hearing for amendments to the Land Use Regulatory Code Critical Areas Preservation and Permit Procedures.
Filed under: City Council, City Government
27 comments
F fredo April 11, 2012
“What Biot shares with Tacoma, according to advocates of the relationship, is a prominence in the arts world, particularly for glasswork. Biot is home to an internationally known gallery of glass as well as a conference for glass artists. Mayor Strickland noted that if Tacoma wants to be known as an international city, these types of relationships are important to pursue.” Exit 133
I’m sure that international leaders are awakening this morning to this news and are preparing to drastically alter their preconceptions about Tacoma, Washington. Our Mayor is so wise to ignore the city mission statement and spend her valuable time and expertise developing the sister city program. Kudos, Mayor Strickland!
C Chalky White April 11, 2012
The troll doth protest too much, methinks.
F fredo April 11, 2012
I didn’t protest anything chalky. I congratulated the Mayor for her courageous decision to spend less time solving local problems and more time attending to Tacoma’s international reputation. We never know, probably sometime in the next decade or in the next century some tourist with a lot of spending money is going to say to himself “ I really should visit Tacoma Washington, USA, sister city of Biot France.”
T TacomaMike April 11, 2012
Regarding Pugnetti Park, as I told the City Council, recently the Fife Free Press wrote an editorial about the naming of a local park, and the editorial was titled “Place Names Add Depth, Character to Community”. If we lose THIS park, Tacoma and our community will only lose a small park, but it will also lose a large part of its character and dishonor its history in the process.
T Twin_Trees April 11, 2012
I don’t think the citizen speaking about the armored car purchase was encouraging the city to “invest in properly maintaining the vehicle”… he was cautioning the city to be aware of the additional pricetag this “free Fema grant money purchase” will cost us in proprietary contracts, upkeep, training and use.
Once again, the city (in its short-sightedness and zeal to waste available grant money) will actually cost us much, much more in the long-run for a piece of equipment unneeded in the first place.
Remember Phyllis (who used to watchdog TPD spending) and Mike (who blew the whistle on internal violations)? They used to speak at nearly every council meeting. What ever happened to them?
F fredo April 11, 2012
Twin_trees
…be careful about posting your honest opinions on this site. There are two or three self appointed moderators who can’t stand the thought of someone posting an observation they don’t happen to agree with.
J jd April 11, 2012
It must be difficult being Eeyore. Every morning, he wakes up, and much to his chagrine, the world continues to spin, good things are happening, and the city council goes on with business as usual.
We’ve expanded friendships abroad, purchased a piece of police equipment at what seems to be a “cost-effective” price, and our food waste containers are on their way. The Citizens’ Forum was a varied one, the repair work at the Point Defiance Pagoda goes on, and several other community issues were discussed.
It seems that in spite of our city’s eminent economic collapse, life goes on. Sometimes it’s exciting, sometimes it’s merely interesting, usually though, it’s pretty mundane. That’s okay! There’s nothing wrong with the day-to-day.
We’re weathering this current storm, things are getting better, and this will be over soon. In the mean time, I refuse to wring my hands, and wear sackcloth and ashes. It doesn’t help anything or anyone, and you just end up looking silly.
J jd April 11, 2012
@Twin_Trees, I just watched the video of last night’s meeting, and Mr Smith’s comments on the new police vehicle were all very positive. While he did speak about upkeep and maintenance, it was in the tone of hoping that there was a good warranty, good training, etc. I didn’t pick up any cautionary tone to his comments.
As to whether the vehicle is going to cost us “much, much more in the long-run”, I guess we’ll all just have to trust your word about these vehicles. You apparently have a lot more info and experience with these than the rest of us.
F fredo April 11, 2012
JD, I like the way you engage in name calling rather than address specific points of view. It makes you sound so superior to everyone else.
C Christine April 11, 2012
I saw a lot of “specific points of view” addressed. Just sayin’.
T Twin_Trees April 11, 2012
@JD – Take a look at the video from week before when Mr. Smith first initiated the conversation about the armored car. He points out questions that the council should have asked, themselves, and which the TPD and city staff should have offered up front.
Neither the council (nor the police reps for the matter, based on their replies at that meeting) seemed to have read even the watered-down version available in their packets at that meeting. The TPD also try to say one of Mr. Smith’s comments was flat-out wrong, but that very TPD statement was what was wrong, as it turns out. Strickland tries to smirk it away by practically suggesting the council should ignore the man behind the curtain and trust the city staff report even though it doesn’t address nearly what it should.
It’s okay if you don’t see it as I do; we’ll all see what a ridiculous expenditure this is in a few years. Look, we had some left-over Homeland Security grant money that the port didn’t know what else to spend it on, so we found something with about that price tag on it whether we need it or not (basically wasting federal money simply because it’s available for us to waste, as if that makes it okay; Walker stated two meetings ago “as long as it’s not coming out of our budget I’m okay with it” even though it’s still tax payer dollars!), and not fully considering the tremendous extra costs this vehicle will drain from us in the long run.
Smith was simply being gracious in last night’s meeting when he could have really scewered them… but he could probably tell they were going to vote it into reality, regardless of what he’d pointed out, so he seems to be saving his battle for a different day.
F fredo April 12, 2012
twin trees, thanks for your excellent posting #11 which you submitted last night. this is the kind of material I want to see when I visit exit133. I printed your posting and put it on my refrigerator. This is what a good submission looks like.
F fredo April 12, 2012
Right twin trees. This seems to be a pattern at city hall. Cloak every spending decision with the shiny possibility of some federal money to buy something we didn’t actually need in the first place. Another example is the rain garden ditches proposed for Pacific Avenue.
Most troubling is that the elected council members (who are the taxpayers line of defense) never ask the tough questions or display a healthy dose of skepticism. Look at how many spending items on the agenda are passed with little discussion by a 9-0 plurality.
J jd April 12, 2012
Twin_Trees, Thanks for the back ground info on last week’s meeting. I still haven’t had a chance to watch it, but you bring up some goods points. First, you’d think that if the city was voting to buy a piece of equipment that costs more than a lot of houses, they’d have been more prepared to answer some questions. We’re gonna have to agree to disagree on whether or not we should get this vehicle, but at the very least, the city needs to listen to the concerns of the citizens.
The second point that caught my eye was the ‘smirking’ comment. I don’t know how many times I’ve been at Council meetings, and seen eye rolling or flat out laughing at citizens trying to give their opinion. The Council may get tired of listening to some of the “regulars”, especially when they get on the occasional rambling diatribe that’s off subject. Some folks have also been known to give uninformed, even ridiculous comments, but that’s what that time is for…to listen to the people, even if you disagree with them.
Admittedly, it’s got to be difficult to sit up there in front of a crowd, and not yawn or smirk once in a while, but some of the council members often have a look on their faces that’s a combination of a sneer and thinly-veiled contempt. That kind of behavior is unacceptable.
F fredo April 12, 2012
The public comment period is usually the most amusing and occasionally most informative segment of the entire council meeting.
Nevertheless, the opinions which are contrary to the council’s intent are ususally given short shrift or less. It’s pretty obvious that most council decisions have been arrived at long before the meeting is gaveled to order. I think most votes were predetermined at the council executive sessions or perhaps when department directors or other staff people direct the council member on the proper way to vote.
I would also ask people to listen closely to the little speeches that each council person gives with regard to each agenda item. There’s usually an attempt to portray the vote as the ONLY alternative which serves the goals of compassion and business development. And usually there’s a box of kleenex to dab away the tears while the cameras are rolling. It’s all carefully staged to provide a pro union result.
J jd April 12, 2012
Enough of the tired, anti-union rhetoric, already. Would you prefer an entire city where the workers are paid minimum wage, so the business owners can reap the financial benefits? Let’s put this in language that some on this site consider down-right sexy. That’s right (and picture me saying this using the sultry tones of Barry White), tax dollars.
I haven’t done the math, but I’m assuming that the taxes paid by a larger percentage of the “working class” making a decent living, are considerably higher than those paid by the same number of those earning $9 an hour, and the same for the taxes paid by the much smaller percentage of the population who are business owners. At what point did bargaining for a fair living, including retirement and healthcare, become a blight on society? I don’t recall anyone in police or fire unions holding a gun to the head of city negotiators at contract time. They are forbidden to strike, and when at an impasse, go to independent, binding arbitration. By the way, for two years in a row, TFD has voluntarily given back the raise that was given to them by the arbitrator. This year to save jobs, but the year before that, unsolicited, with no benefit itself, simply to save the city some money. Selfish, socialist bastards!
Please find another scapegoat for the city’s economic woes. In the words of a friend of mine, that dog just don’t hunt.
C council watcher April 12, 2012
I’m confused… As I understand it, this came before council last week and a citizen raised some questions.
Despite the police captain answering most of the questions, the council, on split vote, voted to hold it over for more time to answer questions and ponder the decision. They satisfied the fellow council watchers questions and moved forward.
I would say it is a rare occasion that people even bring questions to the council on Tuesdays nights. Most people offer support for and item or are against and item, but rarely just clarifying questions.
So why is everyone jumping all over the council members on this one issue?
T Twin_Trees April 12, 2012
@council watcher
“…why is everyone jumping on the council…?”
… because if you watch the council for any length of time, it becomes obvious how little thought, research or even natural curiosity goes into agenda items before their unison, often always-unanimous votes.
I say this with all sincerity: don’t just watch the Tuesday night council meetings… instead, also read the city manager’s reports, sit in on a some study sessions and committee meetings… then read the astonishingly slanted way the city staff has prepared the minutes tilted in one favor which is often all the council gives a glance-over of before simply voting the way the committee and city staff recommends… then you’ll begin seeing more to what’s really going on at those seemingly bland council meetings.
God bless your innocent optimism, but we really need to be looking harder and deeper and expecting much better of our leaders (and our citizens).
.
F fredo April 13, 2012
Thanks twin trees.
Back to the sister city agenda item. Will the taxpayers be required to send representatives from the city to visit Biot France? Or can this deal be closed with a few emails?
Also…is the ultimate goal of the sister city program to provide some intangible benefit that can’t actually be articulated or to provide a tangible benefit to elected officials in the form of some valuable travel vouchers?
C Council watcher April 13, 2012
I think I heard about 3 or 4 councilmembers that went on a trip last fall. The trip was arranged several months in advance so they could not cancel.
I guess my question earlier is, why is when the council did ask questions, split the vote and delay action that a blanket of ‘ they always do vote the same’? I can think of a dozen or so votes where the council was deeply divided.
This is clearly a Karl Rovian attempt to attack on a point of strength, trying to make it appear as a weakness.
I have been then when a few members have grilled staff. I have seen proposals shitcanned be cause of procedural missteps by staff.
I don’t love this council and have been critical of some members for votes, but refuse to join your hateful and abusive pattern of attack by unfounded rhetoric!
F fredo April 13, 2012
Four people went on last falls trip to Phoenix. The trip could have been canceled and the city would have lost some deposit money, that’s all. One of the attendees was Spiro Manthou who was just about to retire. What benefit did the taxpayers get out of Councilman Manthous attendance? Please be specific. In fact, I’d be curious to learn what the remaining 3 members learned from all this expense. Was this a good value to the taxpayers?
Please don’t interpret my comment to be hateful or abusive. Either this sort of spending represents waste, fraud or abuse, or it doesn’t
C Council Watcher April 13, 2012
@ fredo. I wasn’t trying to justify any trip. I just recalled that they went on some trips last fall. May or may not have been the same trip.
tt is the one attacking for no reason, for example:
“because if you watch the council for any length of time, it becomes obvious how little thought, research or even natural curiosity goes into agenda items before their unison, often always-unanimous votes.”
And yet she offers no proof of the baseless attack.
T Twin_Trees April 14, 2012
@Council Watcher
Ironically, this very armored car issue (which we happened to be talking about here) is just one exact example of the “baseless” comment you quoted and questioned… and that comment was hardly “attacking” the council, but is simply pointing out well-founded constructive criticism which good residents of any town should offer.
It’s your responses which seem a bit over-the-top and unfounded (married to a council member? I don’t know, please explain…), as I don’t see one comment here (much less enough for a “pattern”) which comes across as “hateful and abusive pattern of attack by unfounded rhetoric”. To the contrary, yours is the typical reply when the responder has no real comeback to the facts presented.
If this website is meant only for adoring Council Watchers, let me know… then please let me know where others of us can go to have real discussions.
PS ~ Also not sure why it’s assume I’m a “she”…
.
F Frank P. April 14, 2012
Bwa-haha.
Oh, snap. I’ve been waiting for a comment like that.
Good place to end for this week’s council commentary.
Looking forward to next Tuesday’s summations.
C Council Watcher April 14, 2012
@ T.T.
Eh 50/50 chance. Just didn’t want to assume you were a man. Sorry if I hit sensitive topic for you I l try to use gender neutral language in the future for your benefit.
I go back to my original point. If what you say is true; the Council always votes unanimously without pausing, asking questions and delaying action, then why would you bring it up on a vote where they did exactly that as and example of something they never do? Clearly they do ask questions and delay action until all the facts are in, as proven by the very issue we are discussing.
Feel free to continue to be ‘fair and balanced’ in your criticisms of government. it serves you well.
I did notice that rather than addressing my arguments you instead questioned my right to be in the discussion and tried to diminish my standing by assigning a false sense bias. I am not now, nor have I ever been married to a council member. I don’t date one and have no desire to. I do often watch and attend council meetings, study sessions and public events. I have at times made comment to the council, sent emails and blasted them here on the blogs. I have also thank them and defended them when I see the press coverage does not match the actual discussion I witnessed. ( TNT not x133)
Based on your comments I think I have sat in front you in study sessions as you ranted in hushed tones about staff not listening, while all along not listening to the conversation at hand. I have been present longer than any of the current council member and will continue to be in the future.
However, I am not certain what drives your passion ex-(boyfriend/girlfriend/partner) to a council member? I don’t know, please explain…
C Clock Watcher April 14, 2012
Oh, Council Watcher, the council didn’t ask questions about the armored car; it took a resident to bring those questions up.
CW, it is quite noticable that you seem to be taking TT’s comments about the council quite personally… no need to explain why, but how about we keep the conversation to agenda items going forward?
.
G Grant Masher April 15, 2012
Well, we’ve probably lost Twin_Trees from ever posting here again. Funny that Fredo had cautioned him (though TT never acually said he was a “him”, just questioned why CW assumed the posts were from a woman) that he’d probably be drummed out for having expressed anything truly relevant here. Yup. Happened.
By the way, CW, it’s not TT sitting behind you at the city sessions, it’s probably me.