Tacoma City Council Meeting - August 27, 2013

CONSENT AGENDA

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Council was presented with the College Success Foundation Leadership 1000 Scholarship students.

The College Success Foundation helps low-income students in Tacoma realize their dreams of going to college. Students who received the scholarship have excelled during their high school academic years, and gone on to college. The Program has awarded $30 million in scholarships to Tacoma students, with a significant amount of that staying in two and four year institutions in Tacoma.

PUBLIC COMMENT

We heard from one commenter, who shared his concerns regarding the use of marijuana and paraphernalia. He expressed his concern that the proposed ordinance and medical acceptance of that substance is bad for the health of individuals and society, and leads to deeper sin…

REGULAR AGENDA

APPOINTMENTS

Resolution No. 38723 Appointing individuals to serve on the City Events and Recognitions Committee. [Doris Sorum, City Clerk; Elizabeth Pauli, City Attorney]

The resolution appoints two more citizens to the recently formed committee. 

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28167 Amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Leave-Based Contribution Plan, to provide eligible employees an opportunity to voluntarily contribute the cash value of accrued vacation and/or personal time off to the United Way of Pierce County. [Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources]

The ordinance passed unanimously without further comment.

Ordinance No. 28168 Amending Chapter 12.08 of the Municipal Code, relating to stormwater and surface water systems, to authorize the Environmental Services Director to establish a pilot program to offer and evaluate the use of rebate payments to eligible customers, in an amount up to $2,000, who construct and/or maintain City-owned low-impact development rain gardens and bioretention facilities through December 31, 2014. [Geoffrey M. Smyth, P.E., Science and Engineering Division Manager; Michael P. Slevin, III, P.E., Director, Environmental Services]

The ordinance allows for the development of a pilot project to offer eligible customers two categories of incentives relating to rain gardens. The first would encourage residential customers to install rain gardens on their own property by offering design assistance and soil testing, and for eligible customers a one-time cash rebate based on the square footage of rain garden installed. The second option would offer a one-category rate break to customers who adopt and help maintain a City-owned rain garden. This second option comes out of the Pacific Avenue Streetscape project, in partnership with the Downtown Merchants Group.

In response to questions from Councilmember Lonergan, staff explained that the two watersheds focused on in the pilot project have signifcant capacity issues, which the rain garden project hopes to mitigate. The hope is that the small amount given up in rebates and rate breaks would ultimately be offset by decreased need for future stormwater management capital projects. The pilot program wraps up December 2014, and will include evaluations and surveys of participants. More information is available at www.cityoftacoma.org/surfacewater. The ordinance passed unanimously.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28169 Amending Chapters 8.28 and 8.29 of the Municipal Code, relating to narcotics and drug paraphernalia, to add language relating to the public use and display of marijuana and medical cannabis, and revising the definition of drug paraphernalia to be consistent with state law. [Shawn Stringer, Captain; Don Ramsdell, Chief, Tacoma Police]

I-502 allowed marijuana and paraphernalia to be possessed under certain circumstances. This ordinance would bring city regulations into line with state rules and provide clarity for citizens and law enforcement.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Deputy Mayor Campbell asked a question regarding the timeline for the midbiennium budget adjustment. City Manager Broadnax responded that we could expect to see that late this year, probably December.

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER

Nothing to report.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Government Performance and Finance Committee – Councilmember Lonergan reported on the recent work of the committee.

• Recommended approval of the telecom franchise agreement with Electric Lightwave, which was adopted at the August 13 Council meeting.
• Selected "for" and "against" committee members to write statements for Tacoma's Proposition 1.
• Heard a briefing from IT on SAP system strategic assessment.
• Conducted interviews for the Ethics Board.
• Heard the May monthly budget report.

At the next meeting the committee will receive an update on budget actuals through July.

Councilmember Woodards announced that Wednesday, August 28, Tacoma's Urban League would be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. Everyone in the community is invited to come out to enjoy the celebration, including a commemorative march, film, panel discussion, and acitivities for kids of all ages.

Councilmember Walker announced that Community Healthcare will be hosting a fundraiser luau in People's Park from 12 to 4 on Saturday, September 7 to support the new clinic going up in Hilltop at MLK and Ernest S Brazil.

Councilmember Ibsen reminded us that the second Proposition 1 information session will be held for Council District 1 next Wednesday, September 4 at 6 p.m. at the Wheelock Library in the Proctor District. Everyone is invited to come and learn more about the ballot measure. Ibsen also announced that on Labor Day the Pierce County Central Labor Council will be hosting a Labor Day picnic on Monday, Sept. 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park.

Councilmember Boe reminded us that the next Stadium Fare will be held this Saturday, August 31. Everyone should come out for crafts, treats, and more. Boe also thanked the organizers of Maritime Fest for another great event.

Deputy Mayor Campbell announced that on Friday, August 30, the Portland Avenue ... will be putting on a parade to celebrate the return to school for Tacoma children. The parade will include cars from the LeMay Museum and the Lincoln High School drum line. So come on out, and cheer them on.

Mayor Strickland reminded us that there will be no City Council meetings next week due to the Labor Day holiday. The next Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10.

ADJOURNMENT

Oh, and one last thing: Aloha from your City Council. Enjoy your Labor Day holiday!

For more on any of the items on this week's agenda, see Exit133's City business preview for the week.