Tacoma City Council Meeting - April 17, 2012

It’s a short agenda this week. No first readings of ordinances. No final readings of ordinances. No robots, no BearCats. But we do have a public hearing, a couple proclamations, and a couple purchase resolutions.

CONSENT AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 38471

Authorizing the submittal of a grant application to the State Community Economic Revitalization Board, in the amount of $50,000, for the preparation of the North Downtown Sub-area/Environmental Impact Statement. [Ian Munce, Long Range Planning Division Manager; Ryan Petty, Director, Community and Economic Development]

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

We had two proclamations this week. Mayor Strickland proclaimed April 21, 2012 to be Clay Huntington Day in the City of Tacoma, and invited all citizens to come out for the dedication of Clay Huntington Way on what would have been his 90th birthday. The mayor also proclaimed April 26, 2012 to be Dining Out for Life Day in Tacoma, and encouraged everyone to participate in the annual fundraiser for Pierce County AIDS Foundation by dining out at one of the more than 50 participating restaurants in the area. Councilmember Mello invites everyone to join Jerry and him in making a full day of it, and dining out for all three meals. They will be at the Old Milwaukee, Pacific Grill, and Primo Grill, in that order, if you care to join.

PUBLIC COMMENT
We began with an empty sign-up sheet, and only one commenter stepped forward, with a request that the City give the neighborhood plenty of notice before work begins on item two of the purchase resolution.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Purchase Resolution No. 38472 Awards contracts to:

 
1. Northrop Grumman Information Technology, Inc., in the amount of $196,411.00, plus sales tax, for a cumulative contract total of $448,543.00, budgeted from the Fire Special Revenue Fund, to increase and extend the contract for software maintenance and repair services for the Fire Department’s Computer Aided Dispatch System for an additional three-year period – Sole Source [Mike Fitzgerald, Fire Department Manager; Jim Duggan, Interim Chief, Tacoma Fire Department]; and

 
2. Wm. Dickson Co., in the amount of $66,685.77, sales tax not included, for a cumulative contract total of $582,181.25, budgeted from the Wastewater Fund, to increase the contract for additional work necessary to complete the relocation of wastewater pipe within Sound Transit’s commuter rail right-of-way – Specification No. PW11-0083F. [John O’Loughlin, Science and Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works]

We got a little clarification on item number two in response to comments by councilmembers Mello and Boe. Mr. O’Loughlin explained that the reason this project is going on the City’s tab, rather than Sound Transit’s is that when the City put the pipe in on that particular piece of property, to which Sound Transit owns the access rights, part of the initial agreement was that the City would have it relocated if necessary. The installation of a second track at that location made it necessary to move the pipe to the outer edge of Sound Transit’s property, where it will no longer be in the way. According to the purchase resolution paperwork (pdf), this increase in project cost is necessary “due to unanticipated field conditions that were discovered after the start of construction as well as additional items of work that were necessary but not included in the original contract scope.”

PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPEALS

This is the date set for a public hearing by the City Council on proposed amendments to the Land Use Regulatory Code regarding the interest and desire of citizens to voluntarily participate in the preservation and restoration of public and private natural areas throughout the City, as recommended by the Planning Commission. [Stephen Atkinson, Associate Planner; Ryan Petty, Director, Community and Economic Development]

Four commenters came forward to speak on this item with a couple of main themes coming out. Scott Hansen of Puget Creek Restoration Society raised several concerns, along with support for some of the changes. Mr. Hansnen’s concerns included whether the in-lieu fee program assessment process would function to allow the purchase of the same amount and type of land that is supposed to be compensated for and strong opposition to reducing critical area buffers. He also requested that the City consider not charging permitting fees to individuals or nonprofits for whom the fees might prove prohibitive, and the possibility of boardwalks as allowed features to provide for full access to and better protection of sensitive areas. Another commenter echoed concern over the buffer zone changes, and advised the City to seek further legal advice on the issue. A major topic among the other commenters was a concern that not enough public outreach had been done to private property owners and individual citizens who might be affected by the changes.

All in all, while there seems to be general support for many of the changes that allow for small scale improvements to sensitive areas, there is also a lot of anxiety over what the changes mean, and whether they’re going too far in deregulating development. The issue will go before the Environment and Public Works Committee next week. The first reading of the ordinance is scheduled for May 1.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER
City Manager Broadnax reminded us that Tacoma Neighborhood Makeover Week starts this Sunday. The City, along with Rebuilding Together South Sound, the WSU extension, and others, will be offering a series of free workshops and events, with an emphasis on maintaining Tacoma’s homes and neighborhoods. Everyone is invited to attend the free workshops, and to volunteer next Saturday, 28 in the Makeover Neighborhood in the Giaudrone neighborhood, where we’ll see a demonstration of what can happen when all the makeover projects come together in one neighborhood.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Economic Development Committee – Councilmember Fey reviewed the committee’s meeting topics, including the addition of Biot, France as a sister city progress on the South Downtown Subarea Planning process and conversations on the LeMay museum, lessons from Burning Man, and the future of the Foss Waterway.

Councilmember Woodards reminded us of Parks Appreciation Day this Saturday from 9:00 to noon, and encouraged everyone to find a park in their area to volunteer in.

Councilmember Walker noted two community events in the last week: Community Healthcare Groundbreaking, and the Cambodian New Year Celebration, which brought in the new year with dancing, speeches, and food.

We missed the Cambodian celebration, but we found this toe-tapping video of the Khmer New Year’s Trot Dance/Deer Dance. It’s catchy enough that you may end up with the tune stuck in your head; consider yourself warned.

Councilmember Ibsen reminded us of this Saturday’s Grand Opening of Pt Ruston, ceremony at 9:15-ish.

Councilmember Boe, in anticipation of Bike Month this May, encourages everyone to attend the UPS Bike Swap on April 28th at the UPS fieldhouse to get all geared up for participating in May’s bike-related events. The event will include low-cost helmets and free bike clinics, along with opportunities to find a new-to-you ride. He also reminded us of the Junior Daffodil Parade this Saturday at 10 a.m.

Mayor Strickland noted that Saint Joe’s will be getting a level 3A neonatal unit, and that the City has been named to receive an award from the American Public Works Association for its focus on diversity in recruiting and hiring strategies.

ADJOURNMENT

Well, that was quick. Next week’s agenda is already looking longer than this week’s, so we’ll get to spend a little more time with you then.