Tacoma City Council Meeting - April 24, 2012

Well, we can’t claim that this is the most exciting of agendas, but there was some important stuff about updates to Tacoma’s aging water and wastewater systems, and public hearings on how the City will use CDBG and Emergency Solutions Grants.  Mayor Strickland absent.

CONSENT AGENDA

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28066 (First and Final Reading) Providing for the formation of Local Improvement District No. 3968 for the construction of a sanitary sewer within East 49
th Street, extending east from the Timothy Meadows subdivision approximately 390 feet. [Ralph Rodriguez, LID Administrator; Phyllis Macleod, Hearing Examiner]

Ordinance No. 28067 (First and Final Reading) Providing for the formation of Local Improvement District No. 8652 for the construction of permanent pavement, with storm drainage where needed, at the following locations:

• Alley between North 12th and North 13th Streets, from Madison to Monroe Streets;
• Alley between Mullen and Ferdinand Streets, from North 37th to North 38th Streets, and North 38th Street, from Mullen to Ferdinand Streets; and
• Alley between Ferdinand and Huson Streets, from North 31st to North 33rd Streets.

Ordinance No. 28068 (First and Final Reading) Providing for the formation of Local Improvement District No. 8653 for the construction of permanent pavement, with storm drainage where needed, at the following locations:

• Alley between East 35th and Harrison Streets, from East J to East K Streets;
• Alley between East 35th and Harrison Streets, from East L to East M Streets; and
• Alley between South 10th and South 11th Streets, from Cedar to Alder Streets.

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Deputy Mayor Joe Lonergan declared April 2012 to be Military Child Month, and April 26, 2012 to be Domestic Violence Awareness Day in the City of Tacoma.

PUBLIC COMMENT
No comment. 

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 38473 Authorizes the Public Works Department to participate in a Tacoma Public Utilities, Water Division, contract with R.L. Alia Company, in order to contribute $682,426.00, excluding sales tax, plus a 10 percent contingency, for a cumulative total of $750,668.60, budgeted from the Wastewater Fund, to replace underground wastewater pipes in the vicinity of North 49th to North 51st Streets from Frace Avenue to Vassault Street. [John O’Loughlin, Science and Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works]

This will be the first of six similar size and scope projects anticipated over the course of the next year to update sections of Tacoma’s water system that are aging – some sections are more than 100 years old.  The collaborative process of doing repairs and replacements on water and wastewater pipes is designed to increase the efficiency of these necessary repairs by sharing overhead and minimizing disruption to the neighborhoods affected.

Resolution No. 38474 Authorizes the execution of an agreement with the Tacoma-Pierce County Employment and Training Consortium, in the amount of $325,105, budgeted from the Youth Building Tacoma Fund, for the implementation of the Youth Building Tacoma comprehensive job training and pre-apprenticeship program from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. [Stacey Gillette, Contract Specialist; Linda Villegas Bremer, Director, Human Rights and Human Services]

The Youth Building Tacoma program is designed to give young adults in Tacoma (ages 18 to 24) training and workplace skills and experience they need to get and keep a living wage job.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28069 Amending Chapter 1.06 of the Municipal Code, relating to administration, to transfer the supervision, control, and responsibility for the duties and functions of the Cable Communications and Franchise Services group from the Information Technology Department to the City Manager. [Rob McNair-Huff, Community Relations Manager; T.C. Broadnax, City Manager]

PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPEALS

This is the date set 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]

Staff explained that every year the City gets federal Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership, and Emergency Shelter Grant money.  In late 2012 the Emergency Shelter Grant was changed to the Emergency Solutions Grant, and changes were made that made new money available to Tacoma.  These amendments respond to those changes.

During the public hearing three speakers spoke to the particular need for these services in the IndoChinese community, and requested that the Council consider asking that some of the funding be allocated to a program that increases access to the types of services covered by this grant for that population.

This is the date set for a public hearing by the City Council on recommendations for the proposed 2012-2013 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development. [Ric Teasley, Housing Division Manager; Ryan Petty, Director, Community and Economic Development]

This item refers to the same pool of grant funding going forward.  Staff informed Council that there have been reductions in CDBG grants in recent years, so Tacoma can expect similarly reduced funding.  CDBG grant money goes to City Human Services programs and the contingency fund, and the remainder goes to external programs.  This year nine out of 20 applications received recommendations for funding from the Human Services Commission.  Emergency Solutions Grant money is targeted for programs serving households experiencing, or at risk of homelessness.  The money will now be distributed based on recommendations from a panel, which includes one individual who has experienced homelessness.  The panel has recommended seven projects for funding in this cycle.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER
Mr. Broadnax encouraged anyone interested to attend the free foreclosure prevention workshop that will be offered Saturday, May 5 at the Evergreen Tacoma campus. 

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Environment and Public Works Committee  Councilmember Mello reported on the committee’s most recent three meetings, including an update on the Prairie Line Trail planning and design process, an overview of upcoming 2012 capital projects, a preview of the soon to be unveiled Gov-me website for citizens to check on the status of Public Works projects, ongoing conversations about the Critical Areas Preservation Ordinance, and other items.

Councilmember Fey raised the question of the ongoing City budget implications of the state-level changes to the distribution of liquor tax money.  Discussion ensued over whether the Mayor and Council should follow other cities in asking the Governor to veto the portion of the legislation that permanently caps the amount going to the state, and directs excess funds raised to go to the state.  Either the Mayor or the City Manager will draft a letter to that effect.

Councilmember Ibsen commented on the timeliness of the YWCA luncheon at the Convention Center this Wednesday, coinciding the declaration of Domestic Violence Awareness Day this Thursday.  He alson invited everyone to attend Tacoma’s third annual Community Garden Summit this Saturday at McCarver Elementary.

Councilmember Walker mentioned the 26th annual fair housing conference that took place in Seattle, and commended Linda Bremmer and the Human Rights and Human Services staff involved for their contributions to the event. 

Councilmember Boe reminded us all that Bike Month is coming, beginning May 1, and that the Tacoma Bike Swap this Saturday at UPS is a great way to get ready.  He also challenged his fellow council members to ride to work during the month, even offering to ride with them.  We’re looking forward to reports throughout May on who takes him up on the challenge.  Another bike-related item of interest is Bike to the Market Day, the first Thursday in May, which is also, coincidentally the first day of the Downtown Farmers’ Market.  Mr. Bowe also invited everyone to join the Puget Sound Revels May Day celebration next Tuesday, May 1, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Fireman’s Park, complete with maypole.

Councilmember Mello filled us in on last Sunday’s dedication of Clay Huntington Way next to Cheney Stadium.  Mr. Mello described the recently completed road, with green stormwater management, energy efficient lighting, bikeways, and other environmental features, as the fourth ever Greenroad in the world.  For a look at some of the green features, and the awarding of the silver Greenroad certification, check out the Greenroads Facebook page.

Councilmember Campbell gave a reminder about the Community Cleanup taking place in the Edison Elementary School neighborhood this Saturday, April 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

Well, some weeks we get an action-packed, thrill-a-minute meeting.  This wasn’t one of those weeks.  Did anyone else think they caught even the presenters nodding off during their own presentations?  Oh well, such is life.