Tacoma City Council Meeting - April. 15, 2008

Tonight’s city council meeting has come and gone. Nothing too exciting, although seeing Charles Creso, Erik Bjornson, and Robert ‘the traveler’ Hill at the podium did made us pay attention. So… here’s the play by play:

• The meeting began with a proclamation recognizing Parks Appreciation Day on Saturday, April 19th.

• Next up – a proclamation recognizing April 27 through May 3rd as Native Plant Appreciation Week in Tacoma. Take this opportunity to learn about our native plants… and go for a plant walk.

• Recognition of Sister Cities International. Tacoma has eleven sister cities. Road trip?

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

• Silence… Anybody?

REGULAR AGENDA

• If you’re thrilled by purchase resolutions, then download the packet and read about Purchase Resolution # 37450. It included costs related to traffic signal operations, the D Street Overpass project, and 5 other contracts. Passed.

• Resolution No. 37451 removed the High-Occupancy Vehicle restriction from the Jackson Avenue on-ramp to westbound State Route 16. Passed.

• Resolution No. 37452 approved the Purchase and Sale Agreement between the Foss Waterway Development Authority and Martinac Shipbuilding for the sale of approximately 0.8 acres of upland and 0.6 acres of tideland, located at 402 East 15th Street, in the amount of $350,000. The money will go toward the restoration of the Balfour Dock.

PUBLIC HEARING

Tonight’s meeting included a public meeting regarding proposed amendments to the City’s Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption Program.

What are the changes? The shorter answer… relocates the provisions in the municipal code. Next, it’s updated to reflect House Bill 1910 which changed the exemption to either an 8 or 12 year option depending on the inclusion of affordable housing provisions. It also reflects House Bill 2164 that precludes applications for any projects located in the UWT Campus Master Plan. Finally, it allows the city greater flexibility to tweak the program requirements to include provisions for affordable housing, environmental design, etc.

The public comments started out in favor of the multi-family property tax exemption program. The first speaker was Erik Bjornson. Later, Charles Creso spoke in opposition to tax exemptions. Robert Hill… well, he spoke and was sporting quite the hat… and sunglasses.

The council was generally in favor of the program and their comments reflected a much larger public policy discussion than just what was on the agenda tonight for the public hearing.

We’re tired. Road trip?