Tacoma City Business Sneak Peek - Week of April 30, 2012

Bond Allocations

Following on the heels of the recent discussion of allocating existing bond funds to fill project funding gaps, we see a resolution on this week’s City Council agenda authorizing the use of $13,142,700 in 2009 and 2010 bonds for several of the projects discussed:

• Point Ruston Waterwalk – $6,000,000;
• Pacific Avenue Streetscape – $400,000;
• Broadway Center for the Performing Arts Phase 2 – $1,742,700;
• Tacoma Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation – $1,800,000;
• People’s Pool – $1,700,000; and
• Hillside Terrace – $1,500,000.

These are all of the project identified as tier one priorities, plus the Hillside Terrace project, which Council added from the list of tier two projects. This leaves about $3 million out of the $16.4 million available from unspent bond funds.

Ordinances
Under final readings this week, we have the ordinance to transfer the supervision, control, and responsibility for the duties and functions of the Cable Communications and Franchise Services group from the Information Technology Department to the City Manager. Under first readings, we see the amendments to the Critical Areas Preservation Ordinance discussed at the April 17 study session. The first item drew little conversation at its previous reading. The second got slightly more attention at its April 17 public hearing we’ll see if any changes were made based on those comments.

Purchase Resolutions
Three items appear under this week’s purchase resolution: construction of a landfill cap, additional work on the South Ninth Street project, and additional design services for the Pacific Avenue Streetscape project.

The City was required by the EPA to fill and cap the south half of the central area by the end of 2011. Fifteen acres were capped in 2011, this project will cap another seven. The final eight acres are required to be capped by the end of 2013. The low bid came in just shy of $2.4 million, 13.7 % below the pre-bid estimate. The last 40,000 tons of capacity in the Tacoma landfill are expected to be filled this fall. After that, all municipal solid waste will be transferred to the landfill in Graham.

The $76,875 for South Ninth is requested for reconstruction of the sidewalk, crosswalks, ADA ramps, and street surface. The additional funds are required due to “A number of unknown utility conflicts” requiring additional work.

The requested $123,709.46 would be for additional design services for structural analysis for vaulted walks, wayfinding, photo documentation of condition of the building faces within the project area, and development of construction alternates. The City hopes to begin advertising the project in July 2012, with a goal of completion near the end of 2013.

Public Hearing Set
A resolution on this week’s agenda sets Tuesday, May 22, 2012, as the date for a public hearing by the City Council on proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulatory Code for the year 2012, as recommended by the Planning Commission. This is the hearing for this year’s annual Comprehensive Plan revisions, which include

• Proposed amendments to the Housing Element to incorporate the Affordable Housing Policy Principles and update the housing needs assessment data;
• Proposed amendments to the Transportation Element to reprioritize bicycle, sidewalk and intersection improvement projects, and update the Unfunded Project List; and
• Proposed amendments to the Environmental Policy Element and Tacoma Municipal Code 13.04 (Platting and Subdivisions), 13.05 (Land Use Permit Procedures), 13.06 (Zoning), and 13.07 (Landmarks and Historic Special Review Districts), to address inconsistencies, correct minor errors, and provide additional clarity.

Other Items of Interest
Two resolutions this week would adopt the two items from last week’s public hearings related to the Annual Action Plan of the Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development.

Under the category of appointments, Councilmember Marty Campbell will join the Greater Tacoma Regional Convention Center Public Facilities District Board of Directors, and Councilmember Lauren Walker will be leaving the Pierce Transit Board.

The main item on this week’s City Council study session is a discussion of the 2012 City of Destiny Award recipients.