City Council Meeting - Oct 21, 2008

Last night, the Council took further steps towards encouraging the growth of a “green economy” in Tacoma, a field which an increasing number of experts believe will become the world’s largest industry. No wisecracks this time, we just hope all of these provisions and resolutions amount to a serious commitment, not just political gesturing.

REGULAR AGENDA
Resolution 37626 Authorizes a 10-year agreement with the Metropolitan Parks District that will transfer the ownership of certain City-owned parks and facilities, develop transition plans for others, and provide park facility and maintenance services. While many of Tacoma’s parks will be transferred from the City to Metro Parks under this resolution, several with symbolic, non-recreational value are retained by the City. Parks like Point Defiance, Reconciliation, and Fireman’s have instead been classified with “intent to transfer,” after a transition plan has been established. This resolution more clearly delegates responsibility for the parks to Metro Parks, with the hopes that it can find non-City sources of funding. The city will provide $3.8 million to the parks in 2009, a figure that will drop $100,000 each year over the course of this 10-year agreement.

Resolution 37627 Appoints Tammy Blount to the Greater Tacoma Regional Convention Center Public Facilities District Board of Directors for the unexpired term lasting to 2012. This appointment fills the second of three vacancies left on the GTRCCPFDBD (the Convention Center Board); the first was filled by Don Meyer in September.

Resolution 37631 Creates an Office of Sustainability and establishes the Sustainable Tacoma Commission on Climate Change. The office will serve as something like an “environmental auditor,” reporting to the City Manager on the City’s sustainable practices.  The Commission will feature 11 appointees, and will make recommendations to the Council. Tacoma abounds with opportunities to become more green, from its use of water as a utility and a power source, to its public transportation, to its building regulations, and these new entities should push the City to reevaluate its policies. With luck, Tacoma can become not just more environmentally friendly, but it can also reduce taxpayer expenditures and create new “green collar” jobs. It should be noted that this resolution falls in line with the major recommendation of the Green Ribbon Commission, which we covered here.

A few minutes later, during the Reading of Ordinances, an odd odor—a bit like roasted garlic mixed with carbon monoxide—pervaded the Council chambers. Mayor Baarsma took decisive action, interrupting the reading and adjourning the meeting with judicious gavel strokes. It was a sight to behold. (True story.)