Sneak Peek: Tacoma City Business - Week of July 31, 2012

Marijuana as Nuisance
The big item on this week’s City Council meeting agenda is the final reading of the ordinance dealing with marijuana-related activities. After dropping the idea of zoning for medical cannabis-related uses in the City, the new ordinance amends the Municipal Code relating to public nuisances, adding a section identifying activities related to marijuana that are nuisances.

We heard last week from Deputy Mayor Lonergan and other council members last week that they planned to propose changes to the amendment that would remove zone restrictions; and that they would also take another look at the list of buffered sensitive uses, and at the definitions used. We may see some of those changes, but with the moratorium set to expire this Wednesday, we’re right down to the wire on this one, so we’re expecting to see it pass.

Human Services Strategic Plan
A fourth resolution on this week’s agenda would approve revisions to the human services strategic priorities in the 2010 through 2014 Human Services Strategic Plan.

The Plan identifies the City’s role in human services and describes the funding priorities and policies that the City will use in allocating resources to meet human service needs, with an objective of increasing the transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness of human services funds.

The changes would add mental health and chemical dependency services as a strategic priority; address “emerging needs” in transportation, affordable housing, and unaccompanied youth services; and update funding policies to increase the strategic impact. Funding policy changes would include a shift to a competitive funding application process, lowering the maximum City contributions to 50% of total funded program budget (from 65%), and move towards the elimination of guaranteed funding levels over time.

Tacoma Rail
Other resolutions on this week’s agenda include the authorization of a pair of 10-year, interest-free loan agreements with WSDOT for $363,938 to partially finance the rail relay project upgrading two Tacoma Rail classification yard tracks, and $354,542 to partially finance a deteriorated grade crossing. The two loans require local matches of $90,985 and $88,633 respectively, both budgeted from the Tacoma Rail Fund. The work would be set for completion June 2013.

Purchase Resolution
Only one item on this week’s purchase resolution: $300,000 budgeted from the Solid Waste Fund, for a cumulative total of $500,000, to increase and extend the contract for hazardous waste handling and disposal service through August 5, 2013.

Other Items
Also up for a final reading on this week’s City Council meeting agenda is the ordinance making changes to City personnel rules as discussed at the first reading of the ordinance at last week’s meeting.

This Tuesday’s City Council study session will feature a review of City-owned property.