City Council Meeting - July 15, 2008

Tonight’s meeting began with the co-chairs of Tacoma’s Autism Speaks chapter accepting a proclamation for this Saturday’s Walk Now for Autism. For more information about the event visit WalkNowForAutism.org.

Tacoma also received an award for its efforts to reduce pollution, climate change, and meet sustainability goals.

Resolutions
Resolution # 37538 authorizes eight-year Multi-Family Housing Limited Property Tax Exemption agreements with DKR LLC, Donnie Roberts, and Jeremy English, each for the construction of four townhouse style rental units located in the Tacoma Mixed-Use Center.

This Resolution may seem to contradict Ordinance # 27725, adopted June 24 to amend Section 6A.110.020 of the Municipal Code to suspend the acceptance of applications for the tax exemption for all multi-family developments in the Tacoma Mall Mixed-Use Center until January 1, 2009, but these are the last three applications submitted for the tax exemption before the Ordinance went into effect.

There was some public comment made against this Resolution, saying that these tax exemptions take away important revenue from the City, but council members expressed positive opinions about this incentive for developers, noting that it encouraged development and caused positive community growth in areas that would not experience otherwise experience it. Councilman Fey noted that the loss in tax revenue was not significant.

Resolution # 37539 authorized the City Manager to negotiate and prepare a proposed interlocal agreement with the Town of Ruston for building and land use permitting services related to the Point Ruston Development and for ongoing building and land use services.

Councilwoman Ladenburg voted against this Resolution, making an argument that if Tacoma is offering city services than they should be geared toward the City of Tacoma. Mayor Baarsma countered that the City has made many interlocal agreements and that involvement in other communities is helpful to Tacoma.

Ordinances
Ordinance # 27732 amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to provide a 3.72 percent pay increase for the City Manager, effective July 16, 2008.

The City Manager was evaluated in eight different categories and met or exceeded expectation in each one.

In other news, the Mayor seems to be implementing a new and more stringent “three strikes, you’re out” policy for Public Comment. The Council has always been patient with speakers during Public Comment who bend the rules a little by not staying on topic, but the era of leniency seems to have ended.

Warning: This is likely to decrease the entertainment value significantly for viewers at home.

This was a big topic at the end of today’s City Council study session with the bottom line appearing to be … the legal department will be getting back to you with your options.