Exit133

February 24, 2015 · Exit133

Tacoma City Business Preview - Week of February 24, 2015

​Smelter Plume & Government Relations

At study session this week the Tacoma City Council will hear an update from the Washington Department of Ecology on the Tacoma Smelter Plume Project. Ecology will share progress on soil sampling and yard and park cleanups so far, and on upcoming work to continue the cleanup of arsenic and lead from soil.

The council will also get a update from Tacoma’s Government Relations Officer on the legislative session in Olympia.

Point Ruston Annexation

Late last month we heard about a request from the developer of the Point Ruston mixed-use project for the City of Tacoma to annex the 43-acre portion of that 82-acre development that falls in Ruston. At the February 3 Tacoma City Council meeting we heard more on the detalis surrounding the annexation request from the developer, along with extensive, and at times heated, public comment on the topic, including comments from the Mayor of Ruston, and several of that city’s council members. The vote on the resolution was deferred to allow the parties to further negotiate, and the council to learn more about the situation. The request does not include the Stack Hill single-family homes on the hill in Ruston above the main portion of the development.

Since then a few more developments have come up. The parties, along with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, have been in meetings to try to resolve the situation, and it sounds like Ruston might have a couple of permits ready for the developer. At the state level a bill has also been filed that could potentially be used as further leverage.

This week the Tacoma City Council is again scheduled to consider the resolution that would accept, and express “receptiveness” to the developer’s Notice of Intent to Petition for Annexation. Acceptance of the petition would not commit the City of Tacoma to anything, but it would allow the developer to move forward. The next step for annexation would be approval by the Ruston city council, which seems highly unlikely based on comments from the mayor and council. If the Tacoma City Council rejects this week’s petition, the developer will have to find another tactic.

We expect to find out this week whether the parties have reached a workable arrangement, and whether Tacoma will accept the notice of intent for annexation... Stay tuned.

Multi-Family Housing Property Tax Exemption

Tacoma’s multi-family housing tax exemption code was adopted with the intent of encouraging increased residential opportunities within the city’s designated mixed-use centers, assisting in directing future population growth those centers, and stimulating new construction or rehabilitation of vacant and/underutilized buildings for multi-family housing to achieve higher development densities more conducive to transit use.

A resolution on this week’s council meeting agenda would approve updates to make the code more consistent with Washington State code by removing a requirement for properties to sit vacant for six months before redevelopment. The changes also ensure that existing tenants are not displaced, and that households that qualify as lo-income are given help with moving

New Croatian Sister City

The Sister City program has a mission of promoting global community through citizen diplomacy, cultural education, and economic development. Tacoma currently has 12 Sister City relationships, some more active than others. The program is in keeping with the Mayor’s initiatives around boosting Tacoma’s profile internationally and improving the city’s relationships around the globe.

A new Sister City relationship has been proposed with the City of Hvar, Croatia to increase economic development, promote cultural exchanges and ancestral tourism, and to enhance educational opportunities for both cities. A Sister City committee formed in Tacoma has developed a work plan for the next several years of relationship between the two cities. A resolution on this week’s agenda would formalize that relationship.

Mental Health & Chemical Dependency Funding

A trio of resolutions on this week’s council agenda would authorize the allocation of a total of $5.27 million to 11 local organizations for human services program agreements through 2016.

The first of the resolutions approves allocation of $2,600,538 in funding from Tacoma’s 0.1% mental health and chemical dependency sales tax for human services programs. These funds were awarded to high performing programs that meet the criteria of systems sustainability in addressing areas of critical need. A total of $$3,888,390 was awarded, with programs funded at less than $200,000 approved without a resolution, and funding over $200,000 distributed as follows.

  • Catholic Community Services, in the amount of $870,000;
  • Comprehensive Life Resources, in the amount of $1,058,108;
  • Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare, in the amount of $467,050; and
  • Pierce County Alliance, in the amount of $205,380.

The second of these resolutions would approve funding awarded through a competitive process to programs supporting Community Services priorities of meeting basic needs of Tacoma residents; preparing children and youth for success; and improving employability, self-determination, and empowerment. 106 applications were received, with requests totaling $11.7 million. Following review of the applications $2,016,128 of funding for programs funded at over $200,000 was awarded as follows, with programs funded under that threshold approved administratively.

  • Associated Ministries, in the amount of $268,500;
  • Pierce County Aids Foundation, in the amount of $254,132;
  • Tacoma Community House, in the amount of $355,436;
  • Tacoma Housing Authority, in the amount of $241,692;
  • The Rescue Mission, in the amount of $599,368; and
  • YWCA of Pierce County, in the amount of $297,000.

The third of these resolutions awards $669,819 for programs to reduce chronic homelessness. The initial round of solicitation for applications for this funding brought no applications, but a second round brought in two applications, both of which were funded as follows.

  • Comprehensive Life Resources, in the amount of $265,337; and
  • Tacoma School District No. 10, in the amount of $404,482.

Port Investments

Port of Tacoma Road has deteriorated to the point that it needs to be replaced. In 2013 the City and the Port were awarded an initial round of funding for the project. The design phase is now nearly complete, and the City of Tacoma has been awarded another round of state and federal funding for the project. The new grants require additional match funding from the City and the Port. A resolution on this week’s council meeting consent agenda would approve an updated Interlocal agreement with the Port of Tacoma for the design and future resurfacing of Port of Tacoma Road. Construction is expected to start during the 2015 construction season.

Puget Sound Energy has proposed a $275 million Liquified Natural Gas facility to be constructed on the Port of Tacoma land. The facility would serve TOTE vessels for trips to Alaska, and could store product for local use during times of high demand. Under State Environmental Protection Agency requirements, the City needs to issue an Environmental Impact Statement for the facility. A resolution on this week’s agenda would allow the pass-through of $350,924 in PSE funds to a consultant to cover the cost of the work to prepare that statement.

Reducing Solid Waste

Under its 2008 Tacoma Climate Action Plan, the City is working toward maximizing commercial and residential recycling and reuse, and proper deconstruction of buildings. The City has a waste diversion goal of at least 70% by 2028. A 2009 study found that about 60% of the waste stream was recoverable - either compostable or recyclable. A purchase resolution on this week’s council meeting agenda would approve $511,625 from the Environmental Services Solid Waste Fund, for a consultant to develop a Sustainable Materials Management Plan to provide a researched, data-driven plan with specific strategies and timelines to get Tacoma to that 2028 goal.

Other Items

February 24, 2015 will be proclaimed as World Spay Day in the City of Tacoma

Back in December we heard about a request from the small independent Andrain Road Water Association in the area of 128th Street East and 70th Avenue East in Pierce County to be acquired by Tacoma Water. Andrain doesn’t have the capacity to do necessary development. A resolution on this week’s Council meeting agenda would authorize terms and conditions to expand Tacoma Water’s service area to include the 59 Andrain residences.

Another resolution on this week’s agenda would authorize a $150,000 amendment to an agreement to extend a contract for on-call track and bridge maintenance, through December 31, 2016. This contract supplements Tacoma Rail labor and equipment resources and provides a means for quick response to repair damaged railroad tracks and bridges that may either be beyond the capabilities of Tacoma Rail to repair or supplement their capabilities when necessary.

Since 2006 the Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society has provided the City of Tacoma with animal control, sheltering, and related services. The contract has been renewed annually; this year it has been agreed that a two-year contract would be mutually beneficial. This week the council will consider a resolution authorizing a two-year, $881,356 contract with the Humane Society for animal control services through 2016.

This week the council is scheduled to hear the final reading of an ordinance implementing changes negotiated with the Tacoma Joint Labor Committee regarding vacation leave and holiday pay, and rates of pay and compensation for a group of IBEW represented employees.

The council is also scheduled to hear the final reading of an ordinance making changes to personnel rules to incorporate gender-neutral terminology and update City titles, policies, practices, and procedures, as approved by the Civil Service Board.