City Council Meeting - Oct 14, 2008

Boy Scout Troop 299 from St. Patrick’s School visited the council last night to earn their “Citizenship in the Community” merit badges. We’re happy to know that these young men will go through life bolstered by the virtues of squabbling over angle parking.

REGULAR AGENDA
Resolution 37563 Authorizes a $100,000 agreement with the Museum of Glass to fund the purchase of a truck and forklift for the Museum’s new Mobile Hot Shop. The Mobile Hot Shop will take the Museum’s famous glass-blowing demonstrations into the community, making visits to schools and participating in the Showcase Tacoma festival. This resolution was held over from Aug. 5, and has since been amended to require the Museum to increase its annual school visits from 2 to 4. It also mandates the Museum’s presence at the next 5 Showcase Tacoma events. MoG will receive a matching grant from the MJ Murdock Charitable Trust.

Resolution 37616 Grants an 8-year Multi-Family Housing Limited Property Tax Exemption to Prospect 19 Partners to convert an existing building into 19 condominiums. The now-vacant building, located on 630 N. Prospect, will feature single, double, and loft units ranging from $100,000 to $180,000. Only 25% of those will be available to rent, with the others intended to be sold to low-income, first-time homeowners.

Purchase Resolution 37619 Awards a $116,305 contract to Motorola for a Gold Elite Console System of the Police Department’s Mobile Command Unit, and a $100,000 contract to TraStar to install more LED traffic signals. More LEDs make us happy.

Resolution 37620 Authorizes a $53,000 agreement with Pinwheel to repair and reinstall the “Water Forest” feature on the plaza of the Museum of Glass. Installed in 2002 when the Museum opened, this piece lasted just 8 months before “vandals” (kids) broke it. It went unrepaired for 6 years while the city muddled through the process of getting it fixed. The adhesive that held the glass and the bronze of the sculpture together proved to be the sticking point (count it), and now the structure will be reinforced with stainless steel rods . Long story short, it should be fixed and back on display soon. This one got some cheers.

Resolution 37621 Acknowledges the receipt of the updated drafts of the University of Washington Tacoma Master Plan concepts. The school is undertaking major renovations as it transitions into a new role providing a full 4-year experience to undergrads. Not only that, but UWT also plans to expand its enrollment of under 5,000 to 15,000 in the future. 2 blocks of Market St. will narrow to 2 lanes during construction, but the surrounding retail buildings will continue to operate.

There you have it. Lots of money going to the Museum of Glass, it seems. We’re trying to cash in by getting city funds for our new “Glass Kicks Ass” t-shirts. Contact your representative to help make this dream a reality.