Tacoma City Business Preview - Week of November 13, 2012

City administrative offices are closed in observance of Veteran’s Day today, but they’ll be back in full swing with plenty of work to get done tomorrow.

Budget
On the agenda for this week’s study session/Council budget work session is a discussion of more items from the City’s general fund: municipal court, IT services, public assembly facilities, and non-departmental costs, along with a wrap-up of the budget discussion this far.

And, while not officially on the agenda for this week, we are expecting to hear more about other budget items, particularly in the area of public safety, during citizens’ forum. We’re guessing we’ll hear from more than a couple commenters who are concerned about cuts to fire and police jobs, as well as any number of other items. But that’s just a guess.

Transportation
As we mentioned last week, the formation of a transportation benefit district in Tacoma is under consideration by the Council this week. On the agenda for this week’s meeting we see both the second public hearing for the issue and the first reading of Ordinance 28099 to form the TBD to “fund and make improvements to the City’s transportation system.” The ordinance will be considered on an emergency basis, with the public hearing and first reading this week, followed by the final reading next week, allowing it to be effective November 26, 2012, if the second reading of the ordinance is passed at the November 20 City Council meeting.

It’s a big week for transportation issues in general this week, with another item on the agenda setting the date for a public hearing of Tacoma’s Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Improvement Program (one of the documents which would guide the use of funds generated by the TBD). Resolution 38570 sets Tuesday, November 27 as the date for a public hearing on the proposed Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Improvement Program for the years 2013-2018 and proposed amendments to the 2012 Program.

Also on the transportation front, the Washington State Transportation Commission will be holding their local meeting in Tacoma’s City Council Chambers on Tuesday morning. Mayor Strickland and Public Works Director Dick McKinley will be sharing the City’s transportation issues, needs and challenges with the Commission in that meeting.

Public Hearings
There will be a total of three public hearings considered at this week’s City Council meeting on three topics:

 
1. The proposed Ad Valorem tax levies for General Property taxes and other General Fund revenues.

 
2. The 2013-2014 Biennial Budget and the 2013-2018 Capital Facilities Program.

 
3. The proposed establishment of a Transportation Benefit District.

This is your chance to have your say on taxes and the budget for the next two years. And, if the topic at the front of your mind right now isn’t on that list, but is a matter that falls under City Council authority, you’re in luck, because it’s time again for Citizens’ Forum.

Special Events
We’ll be hearing the final reading of Ordinance 28097, which would transfer the coordination and permitting authority for special events from the City Clerk to Community and Economic Development and make changes clarifying and expanding definitions, public notification, insurance requirements, and types of events that are
subject to constitutional protections, and allowing promotion and coordination of
events prior to the issuance of a permit. We heard the first reading of this ordinance last week.

Click! Cable Rate Increase
Also up for a final reading after a first reading last week is Ordinance 28098, which would allow for a rate increase for cable television products and related services for Click!.

Purchase Resolution
One item on this week’s purchase resolution: $548,429.25 budgeted from the Surface Water 2006 Bond Construction Fund, for the South Sprague Avenue Enhancement Project. The project consists of improvements to the east side of South Sprague, between 19th and 23rd Streets, including landscape, an irrigation system, landscape screening, bioretention rain garden facilities, construction of a median landscape area, and installation of a neighborhood gateway sign with up-lighting. Funds are budgeted in the Surface Water 2006 Bond Construction Fund, with funds from WSDOT, the Neighborhood Council’s Innovative Grants, and REET contributions to reimburse the Surface Water Fund.

Okay, so that all starts tomorrow. For today, enjoy your day off, if you’re lucky enough to get one, and go out and thank a veteran.