City Council Meeting - March 25th, 2009

After a couple weeks off, we’re back with a City Council report.

PROCLAMATIONS
We didn’t know this getting into the meeting, but if the mayor says so, it must be … “This is one of those big evenings of the year! The Royal Daffodil Court!” So … complete in their yellow dresses, we were introduced to Queen Melanie and her royal court.

RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 37753 adopts an addendum to the Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Program for amended years 2008 and 2009-2014 to focus on projects that meet criteria of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Several projects were on the original resolution were removed as they did not meet the criteria … like a gondola that would connect Dock Street to Downtown. The amended resolution was approved. This should help “clear the deck” should any new funding opportunities become available.

Purchase Resolution No. 37757 approves the purchse of tires, waste containers, professional services in support of the Solid Waste, Wastewater, and Surface Water Utility’s capital projects, and an extension to the contract for the purchase of one additional 1500 GMP Triple Combination Pumper with Class “A” Foam capability.

Resolution No. 37758 authorizes the submittal of the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan to the Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development by April 1, 2009. These funds were allocated by Congress to provide funds to counties and cities to reduce the negative impact of mortgage foreclosures and help stabilize neighborhoods.

Resolution No. 37759 authorizes the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians regarding Cooperative Planning and Development. This was initiated by the tribe as a way to formalize its relationship with the city – particularly on projects of “mutual concern.”

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 27782 amends Chapter 13.06 of the Municipal Code to reclassify one parcel from a “R-4-L” Low-Density Multiple-Family Dwelling District to a “T” Transitional District, located at 2420 North 21st Street, to allow the continued use of the Branch Colonial House Bed and Breakfast. According to Councilmember Lonergan, the North End Neighborhood council submitted a letter that asked the city to get its act together and update its residential zoning to allow bed and breakfasts.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 27792 extending the suspension of acceptance of applications for the tax exemption for all multi-family developments in the Tacoma Mall Mixed-Use Center from March 31, 2009 to August 31, 2009. The planning commission has taken longer than expected to come up with a set of recommendations.This is the second time there’s been an extension. The suspension had originally started in June 24th, 2008.

Ordinance No. 27793 authorizing an extension to the cable television franchise ordinance with Comcast of Tacoma, Inc., and Comcast of Puget Sound, Inc., through December 31, 2009.

One thing to note from the committee reports at the end of the meeting. There will be a fair amount of urban forestry discussion in the next few weeks. We do like our trees …

And finally, Mayor Baarsma heaped praise on the editorial in “The News Tribune” that asked that Mt. Rainier return to its roots at Mt. Tacoma. According to the Mayor, Mt. Rainier is as bad as calling it Mt. Benedict Arnold. Are you ready for a name change?