City Council Meeting - Dec. 18, 2007

Tonight’s meeting marked the end of an era for two of our Councilmembers. Councilmembers Tom Stenger and Bill Evans cast their final votes and bid adieu to public service on the City Council. Before their formal recognition, however, they—and the rest of the Council—conducted a large amount of business.

• The proposed noise ordinance was held over until January. It is currently with the Department of Ecology for review.
• SAP computing system purchase was approved for more than $3.5 million.
• The Council approved $500,000 expenditure for legal services regarding the North Shore Golf Course.
• $100,000 and a Memorandum of Understanding among the City, Port of Tacoma, and the City of Fuzhou, China, was approved after much discussion, for implementing a Trade Representative Pilot Program. As a result, a Tacoma trade rep will go to China, and a Chinese rep will come here, with the intention of increasing trade. Councilwoman Anderson voted against this expenditure, and Councilmember Stenger abstained.
• The contract with Angelou Economics was approved. Previously on Exit133.
• The Council approved the proposal discussed earlier today pertaining to the Costas Varotsos sculpture. Previously on Exit133.
• A motion to delay voting on giving councilmembers health benefits was passed by a 5-4 vote. Ordinance 27675 will be held over for 90 days with the purpose of creating a citizen commission to make recommendations on this issue.
• Ordinance 27677, approving the Urban Waters project financially, was passed by an 8-1 vote. Several councilmembers voiced strong concerns about costs and how the project will be paid for. The numbers provided by Public Works indicated that each rate payer will contribute approximately $540 over the next 30 years to cover the escalated costs.

Both Tom Stenger and Bill Evans were given warm send-offs from their fellow councilmembers. We wish them both well.

Read Exit133’s on-line interview with departing Councilmember Bill Evans