Tacoma City Business Preview - Week of March 17, 2015

Other than the fact that our utility rates are about to go up, we're looking at a pretty uneventful week, at least as far as council meeting agendas go.

Legislative Update

At this Tuesday's city council study session, the City's Government Relations Officer will provide Council an update on the Washington State Legislative Session so far.

Utility Rate Changes

Two ordinances that will allow for increases in the rates you pay Tacoma Power and Tacoma Water got a first reading two weeks ago. This week they show up on the city council meeting agenda for a final reading and council vote.

Purchase Resolutions

Four purchase resolutions on this week's agenda:

1. A $362,000 contract, budgeted from the Wastewater Fund, for one combination jet/vacuum sewer cleaner to clean collection system structures, storm and sewer mains, and respond to customer requests, system failures, and other maintenance tasks that require use of high pressure water and vacuum.
2. A $750,000 contract, budgeted from the Fleet Equipment Rental Fund, for work truck and cargo vans in the fleet to be upfitted with shelving units, service bodies, special lighting and other equipment not provided by the vehicle manufacturer.
3. A $300,000 contract increase, budgeted from the Fleet Equipment Rental Capital General Fund, for a cumulative total of $450,000, for law enforcement vehicle upfitting with equipment including police lighting packages, sirens, gun racks, consoles, prisoner seats and other unique police equipment.
4. A $152,000 contract increase, budgeted from the Transportation Capital Fund, for a cumulative total of $1,354,912, for unforeseen overages for Phase II of the Water Flume Line Trail project associated with construction delays, additional time and labor necessary to complete the required work, and additional construction requirements not anticipated during the original estimation process.

Citizens' Forum

It's that time again - time for Tacomans to tell their city council what they think on any topic over which the council has jurisdiction. So, what do you want to talk about?

Other Items

Tacoma's Central Treatment Plant sits on the Puyallup River, well within the floodplain. Despite an existing flood protection system, the plant is still at risk of flooding, due largely to the combined effects of increased silt accumulation on the river bed and increased frequency of storms. Tacoma's Environmental Services designed and built flood protection improvements, which are now substantially complete. A resolution on this week's consent agenda will authorize an agreement with the Pierce County Flood Control Zone District, accepting $6 million over six years into the Wastewater Fund to cover costs related to the project.

A second resolution on this week's consent agenda would approve the final plat of a new 11-lot residential subdivision called Hidden Creek Estates at 5036 South Tyler Street. 

March 20, 2015 will be proclaimed as Helping Overcome Personal Emptiness’ Victim Advocacy and Education Day in the City of Tacoma. We'll learn more about what that means on Tuesday.

A new appointment will be made to the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees for a five-year term beginning March 17, 2015 through March 17, 2020. 

A resolution on this week's regular council meeting agenda would accept a piece of property at East 34th and East N streets. The steeply sloped property was donated by the property owner to the City to be preserved as open space. This week's resolution would accept the donation and pay the outstanding 2014-2015 taxes to Pierce County - currently totalling $271.83.

A final resolution on this week's agenda would authorize a negotiated letter of agreement relating to a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association with the Tacoma Police Union, Local 6, IUPA. An accompanying ordinance implements the negotiated rates of pay and compensation for the represented group of employees, retroactive to January 1, 2015.