Tacoma City Council - January 17, 2012

Mayor Strickland and Councilmember Woodards were absent from this week’s meeting. In light of the lack of an explanation, we’ve come to the only possible logical conclusion; no doubt they were otherwise occupied preparing for the 2012 Wright Park Snowpocalypse Sled-olympics, and we’d like to be the first to wish them the best of luck. We’re hoping to see them representing Tacoma in the regional competition later this week.

Word on the street is that this North Tacoma team is the favorite to win. The Strickland-Woodards team can expect some stiff competition from these two.

Councilmember Lonergan, filling in for Mayor Strickland in his new role as Deputy Mayor, opened the session with the swearing in ceremony for David Boe, who was sworn in by the city clerk.

CONSENT AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 38404 Approves the final plat of “Cameron Estates,” a 5-lot single-family residential development located at 1428 East 40th Street.

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nothing this week.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Having the adoption of the City’s State Legislative Agenda Priorities on the agenda is a little like declaring open season on the public comment session, but comments were generally confined to one particular aspect of the proposed resolution. The majority of comments focused on requesting that Washington HB 2229 be added as a priority item to Tacoma’s growing list of legislative priorities. Most of the commenters were Multicare employees.

In case you aren’t familiar with SB 2229 (we weren’t), it amends RCW 43.70.052, which governs public reporting for hospitals in the state, to include language relating to employee compensation reporting requirements. The specific proposed language would “require that each nonprofit hospital or public hospital district annually report the compensation paid to the chief executive officer and the ten highest paid hospital employees who do not have any direct patient responsibilities.” This requirement would include “actual compensation amounts and types received … including, but not limited to, salary and wages, contributions to retirement plans and savings accounts, deferred compensation arrangements, expense reimbursements, incentive payments, and other benefits of value.” (Read the full language of House Bill 2229 here.)

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Purchase Resolution No. 38405 Awards contracts to:

1. Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, in the amount of $1,822,107.39, plus sales tax, budgeted from the Information Services Fund, to renew the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement for licensing of the City’s computer workstations, for a period of three years – Washington State Department of Enterprise Services; and

2. Jones & Roberts Company, on its bid of $1,100,976.00, plus sales tax, budgeted from the LTGO Bond Fund, for seismic upgrades to the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum.

Councilmember Boe spoke on the second item, calling this an exciting project that will literally open up north façade for Foss Waterway Seaport. Boe also clarified that while the bid came in over the predicted amount, it was still less than the LTGO bond amount, meaning that there is funding to cover the upgrades.

Resolution No. 38406 Authorizes the execution of a Multi-Family Housing Eight-Year Limited Property Tax Exemption Agreement with Mark Lawson, for the development of 17 new market-rate townhome rental housing units located at 2131 South G Street in the Downtown Mixed-Use Center.

Councilmember Walker spoke to a concern expressed during public comment regarding tax breaks for developers in such tough economic times, stating her view that developments resulting from this type of tax exemption have had a positive, stabilizing impact on the Hilltop neighborhood. Councilmember Boe offered further clarification that because the land will continue to be taxed, ultimately generating more tax revenue as the property value is increased than would be gained if the lot remains vacant.

Resolution No. 38407 Authorizes the execution of a Multi-Family Housing Eight-Year Limited Property Tax Exemption Agreement with 252 Metropolitan LLC, for the development of 112 new market-rate rental housing units located at 252 Broadway in the Downtown Mixed-Use Center.

Resolution No. 38408 Authorizes the execution and conveyance of an easement on Tacoma Fire Station No. 11 property located at 3812 McKinley Avenue, to CenturyLink, for the amount of $1,500, for the installation and expansion of fiber optic-based high speed broadband internet services.

Resolution No. 38409 Authorizes the execution of Supplement No. 5 to the agreement with David Evans and Associates, Inc., in the amount of $569,068, budgeted from the Streets Special Revenue Fund, for a cumulative total of $3,462,284, for additional design and engineering services for the replacement of segments of the Puyallup River Bridge.

Resolution No. 38410 Adopts the 2012 City of Tacoma State Legislative Agenda Priorities.

A few amendments have been proposed to the City’s priorities since we heard about it last week. One amendment added encourages attainment of federal clean air standards. A second addition closes a loophole regarding emergency legislation, which cause quite a stir last fall. You may remember that the discrepancy between the passage of the emergency moratorium on large scale retail, and the publication of that moratorium meant that Walmart was able to squeak a permit through before the moratorium went into effect. Well, if this legislation passes, that will no longer be a problem.

Two other amendments will be back next week – one in support of “innovation schools,” on which the Mayor and others are working with the School Board to draft appropriate language. After some conversation about SB 2229, the little item that drew so much public comment, the Council decided to table the matter until next week, giving them the time to read up, form opinions, and draft some language. The City’s Government Relations representative reminded the Council that as State legislation comes up throughout the year, they can continue to communicate support for or opposition to specific bills.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER

Interim City Manager Areallno reminded us of the winter storm warning, and the possibility that City offices might be closed today.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Economic Development Committee – Meetings in December were cancelled. The next meeting will discuss plans for 2012.

Councilmember Boe expressed gratitude – both for the MLK event at Tacoma Dome on Monday, and for all the well-wishes sent his way for the not so little fender-bender he and Councilmembers Mello and Campbell were in recently. They’re all a little banged up, but otherwise fine.

Councilmember Campbell expressed thanks for well-wishes, and for Boe’s expert driving skills. He also invited the public to visit the newly re-opened Mottet Library (pronounced “Moh-tay,” as in “Tar-jay”), and to attend the openhouse planned for 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 21st, with refreshments, Valentines for veterans crafts, and live music.

Deputy Mayor Lonergan reminded “those who are interested” that the Government and Finance Committee scheduled for tomorrow may be cancelled if Snowmageddon manifests itself. Stay tuned.

ADJOURNMENT

Well done in your new positions Joe and Anders.