City Council Meeting - Dec. 9, 2008

Last night was busy. Between the County Council and City Council meetings, much was discussed. Here’s a brief summary of a few of the more interesting items from the City Council meeting.

Resolution No. 37671 passed authorizing a raise for our police officers. This is the first time that a new contract has been negotiate prior to the old one expiring in a loooong time.
Resolution No. 37672 finished the Narrows Airport deal (finally). This additional resolution was necessary because of the change to the contract since the council last voted.
Resolution Nos. 37675, 37676, and 37677 All dealt with the Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority and their budget and funds. I’m pleased to say they are continuing the down payment assistance program and do not have an elevated rate of default among program participants.
Resolution No. 37678 passed unopposed to authorize the transfer of the City’s interest in the County-City Building to Pierce County in exchange for the County’s interest in Cheney Stadium and adjacent parcels. The City will continue to lease court space in the County-City Building (approx. 7% of building) but will no longer have the responsibility of an owner. Many people have commented on the difference of assessed value between Cheney and the County-City Building. The numbers have been slightly misleading because the County-City Building was assessed as part of the entire County complex, not the building alone. (Previously on Exit133)
Amended Ordinance No. 27765 approved adjustments to the rates and charges for services provided by the Wastewater and Surface Water utilities by 6.2 percent and 7.8 percent respectively for both 2009 and 2010.
Ordinance No. 27766 passed after much discussion about the impacts of a Solid Waste rate increase and the motivation behind it. The motivation is to shift waste to recycling as much as possible.
Ordinance No. 27767 passed amending the Capital Facilities Element of the Comprehensive Plan, and adopting the 2009-2014 Capital Facilities Program.

After a long meeting that featured a council member voting from the back room on her way to the restroom, and Connie Ladenburg appearing mid meeting, we were exhausted. Keeping up with those Council folks is too much.