Tacoma City Business Preview - Week of September 11, 2012

Streets Task Force Recommendations
Heading this week’s City Council study session is a report on final recommendations from the Citizens Neighborhood Street Improvement and Safety Task Force. Although the idea of a levy lid lift to fund street improvements was scrapped back in July, the recommendations of the task force will still be used to guide neighborhood street and safety criteria, allocations, and priorities for street repairs in Tacoma. The task force developed a recommended process for street repairs. More on the task force’s work at www.CityOfTacoma.org/StreetImprovements.

Budget Update
Also on the agenda for this week’s study session is a 2011-2012 Budget Strategy Update from the City Manager. The City Manager has promised a balanced budget for the current biennium by the end of the year, and we’re expecting a draft of a 2013-2014 budget sometime next month.

Waterfront Maritime Heritage Museum
A resolution appears on this week’s City Council meeting agenda that would authorize the execution of a long-term (50 year initial term) lease agreement and project development agreement between the Foss Waterway Development Authority and the Foss Waterway Seaport for the reuse and redevelopment of the Balfour Dock Building as a waterfront maritime heritage museum.

The Balfour Dock Building, built in 1900, is identified under the Foss Plan as a development site for community-based, non-profit uses on the Waterway. The proposed waterfront maritime heritage museum would feature exhibits and programs relating to the history, culture, industry, commerce, marine science, and environment of Tacoma and the Puget Sound region.

The proposed lease agreement would require the Seaport, in lieu of monetary consideration for rent, to meet several conditions including:

1. Operate the maritime heritage museum at least 30 hours, five days per week, at least 50 weeks per year;
2. Provide reasonable standard admissions charges to the general public;
3. Provide reduced admissions charges for seniors, children, families, and those unable to pay the standard charge;
4. Provide educational, cultural, in-water, and recreational maritime-related activities;
5. Participate in Waterway-wide events, to include Tall Ships, Maritime Fest, and Special People Christmas Cruise, and make facilities reasonably available for said events at no charge.

Pay and Compensation
At the last City Council meeting two weeks ago we got the first reading of an ordinance relating to compensation agreements for several groups of City employees. It’s up for a final reading this week.

Purchase Resolution

1. $538,035 budgeted from the Street Special Revenue Fund through a federal aid grant and property owner contributions, to improve pedestrian access and reconstruct sidewalks at approximately 200 locations citywide
2. $348,150, excluding sales tax, budgeted from the Wastewater Fund, for modifications and construction at three wastewater pump stations in the vicinity of Northeast Tacoma and the Tideflats.

Item one would fund sidewalk repairs in 200 locations across the City, as identified largely by citizen reporting. The Sidewalk Maintenance Fund is a shared cost program that requires homeowners to pay up to half of the costs of sidewalk reconstruction. This contract requires homeowners to cover a flat $4.50 per square foot rate, with the City making up the difference.

Item two would fund upgrades and valve replacements at three pump stations built in the 1970s, which now need repairs to deal with flow levels that have increased over the last 40 years, and to resolve failures that at times result in excess wastewater being pumped into Commencement Bay. Eew.

Citizens’ Forum
And once again; last, but not least; it’s time for Citizens’ Forum. Three minutes to share your two cents on matters over which the City Council has jurisdiction.