Tacoma City Council Meeting - August 6, 2013

Clocking in at just 30 minutes, including a special meeting of the Transportation Benefit District Governing Board, this was a pretty succinct meeting, even by recent standards.

CONSENT AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 38706 Authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement with the Port of Tacoma for review and authorization of a flexible approach to shoreline public access provision under the Shoreline Master Program. [Stephen Atkinson, Associate Planner; Peter Huffman, Interim Director, Planning and Development Services]

Resolution No. 38710 Authorizing the execution of a grant agreement with Washington State Department of Commerce, in the amount of $273,000, and a Conservation Incentive Agreement with Tacoma Public Utilities, in the amount $333,238, for a cumulative total of $606,238; accepting and depositing said sum into the Municipal Buildings Acquisition and Operations Fund; and authorizing the expenditure of $486,469 in City matching funds, budgeted from the 2010 LTGO Bond Series D Fund, for a projected cost of $1,092,707 to provide energy efficiency measures to the Tacoma Municipal Complex. [Jeffrey Jenkins, Facilities Management Division Manager; Kurtis Kingsolver, Interim Director, Public Works]

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Presentation of the Platinum Peak Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

The City's Public Works department has earned four awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and the Washington State Department of Ecology for outstanding compliance with pollution elimination permits. For the 15th consecutive year NACWA awarded Tacoma's North End Treatment Plant the platinum level peak performance award, and Tacoma's Central Treatment Plant the gold level award. Both plants were awarded the wastewater treatment plant outstanding performance award by the Department of Ecology for 100% compliance with their permits.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No comment.

REGULAR AGENDA

APPOINTMENTS

Resolution No. 38707 Appointing individuals to serve on the City Events and Recognitions Committee. [Doris Sorum, City Clerk; Elizabeth Pauli, City Attorney]

This resolution appoints three new members to the Events and Recognition Committee. Because of a procedural change, nominations to sub-committees are now made by the relevant Council standing committee in acknowledgement of the nexus between the work done by both bodies. The individuals appointed in this resolution were nominated by the Economic Development Committee.

Resolution No. 38708  Appointing and reappointing individuals to serve on the Sustainable Tacoma Commission. [Doris Sorum, City Clerk; Elizabeth Pauli, City Attorney]

Again, the two individuals appointed and reappointed in this resolution were nominated by the relevant Council committee, in this case the Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee (formerly the Environment and Public Works Committee).

RESOLUTIONS

Purchase Resolution No. 38709 Awarding a contract to: McKinstry Essention, LLC, in the amount of $1,092,707, including sales tax, budgeted from the Municipal Building Acquisition and Operations Fund, for procurement and installation of energy efficiency measures for the Tacoma Municipal Complex – Specification No. PW10-0224F. [Jeffrey Jenkins, Facilities Management Division Manager; Kurtis Kingsolver, Interim Director, Public Works]

The resolution passed without Council comment.

Resolution No. 38711 Authorizing the execution of an agreement with Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, in the amount of $241,375; Metropolitan Development Council, in the amount of $312,500; and Comprehensive Life Resources, in the amount of $324,381, for a cumulative total of $878,256, budgeted from the Mental Health Fund, for mental health and chemical dependency programs for the period of July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2014. [Kim Dodds, Contract and Program Auditor; Tansy Hayward, Director, Neighborhood and Community Services]

In June the Council approved 11 contracts for the provision of mental health and chemical dependency services funded through the new 0.1% sales tax. This resolution addresses three of those contracts with biennial adjustments of over $200,000.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28164 Amending the 2013-2014 Biennial Budget to appropriate funds for unanticipated expenditures and other budget adjustments. [Tadd Wille, Budget Officer; Andy Cherullo, Director, Finance]

The vote on the ordinance was postponed until after the TBD meeting, at which time the ordinance passed without further council comment.

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER

At its September 18 and September 25 meetings last year the Tacoma City Council adopted a comprehensive set of policies and regulations implementing the Transfer of Development Rights program. The Washington state chapter of the American Planning Association is recognizing this program with their award for sustainability in recognition of the fact that the City has created a fully developed, market-based program, which is fully implemented and ready to go. The City has agreements with Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties on protection of agricultural and forest lands, and can also use TDRs to protect open spaces and historic properties in Tacoma to incentivize density in the city's downtown and mixed-use areas.

 COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Economic Development Committee – Councilmember Boe shared the work of the committee

• Heard about the economic contributions of auto dealerships in Tacoma, and how City staff is working with the dealers to make South Tacoma Way more inviting for customers.
• Received an update on the performance of Tacoma's parking system and a preview of upcoming parking initiatives.
• Interviewed and recommended individuals for the Citizen Events and Recognition Committee.
• Heard a presentation on the Downtown on the Go program.
• Heard a briefing on proposed developments by MLK Rehab and the Tacoma Housing Authority for a pair of historic buildings on MLK Way. The committee recommended the projects go forward, working with historic preservation. The proposed purchase and sale agreements will go before the full Council on August 13.

Councilmember Campbell added that​ while five individuals have been appointed to the Citizen Events and Recognition Committee, the committee can take up to 11 members, so the City is still looking for applicants from all over Tacoma.

Mayor Strickland reminded us that Tuesday evening was National Night Out and encouraged all citizens to take part in events in their community aimed at proactive efforts to prevent crime. 

Councilmember Boe announced the Ruston Family Fair this Saturday, August 10 from 11 am to 4 pm will include a car show, face painting, history walk, kids contests, cupcake walk, baking contest and more fun.

Councilmember Mello recognized the work of the team members working on the Health Homes/Healthy Neighborhoods initiative, which involved going door-to-door in the Wapato neighborhood with resources and information to help residents reduce waste and pollution and improve the health of their homes and communities.

Councilmember Thoms announced that Tacoma's first regatta, the TTown Sailing Championship, sponsored by the Tacoma Waterfront Association, will be held August 10 and 11. 

Councilmember Ibsen announced that this Saturday will also be the date for the Asia Pacific Cultural Center Luau, which will include plenty of food, music, knife dancing, and more.

Councilmember Woodards reminded us of the Lincoln High School 100th anniversary celebration events planned, including Tacoma SummerFest this Saturday, an Old Fashioned Turkey Bowl on September 14. More details at LHSAATacoma.com.

---------------- The regular Council meeting was interrupted for the scheduled Special TBD Special Meeting -------------------

Transportation Benefit District Governing Board Special Meeting Agenda

PUBLIC COMMENT

No comment.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. TBD 005  Establishing a fund and requesting the City of Tacoma to create a new special revenue fund designated as the “Transportation Benefit District Fund,” to be managed by the City of Tacoma Finance Director, effective for the 2013-2014 Biennial Budget; accepting, depositing, and appropriating $4,098,489 from the Transportation Benefit District Fund; and transferring said sum to the Streets Special Revenue Fund to pay for costs associated with transportation improvements, bicycle/pedestrian, freight mobility, and transit enhancements. [Tadd Wille, Budget Officer; Andy Cherullo, Director, Finance]

The TBD ordinance was adopted without further Council comment.

COMMENTS OF THE TACOMA TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD

No comment.

ADJOURNMENT

------------ We now return you to your regularly scheduled Council meeting ------------------

ADJOURNMENT