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December 3, 2014 · Exit133

Tacoma City Council Meeting - December 2, 2014

Well, it was a long meeting, but not as long as it could have been. Budget and spending plan presentations moved along at a good clip, but there were a few items worth noting, like increases to your water and solid waste bills, and recommendations to add funding for Broadway Center upgrades and an Eastside farmers' market.

CONSENT AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 39055 A resolution approving the final plat of “Theresa Estates,” an eight-lot subdivision, for single-family development, located at 250 and 256 East 66th Street. (Bill Sager and Lindie Lane, LLC; File No. PLT2014-40000230949) [Dustin Lawrence, Associate Planner; Peter Huffman, Director, Planning and Development Services]

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES (First and Final Reading)

Ordinance No. 28260 An ordinance approving and confirming the Assessment Roll for Sidewalk Construction Fund SCF-11 for the construction, reconstruction, or repair of certain sidewalks at 91 locations throughout the city. [Dana Brown, Engineering Assistant Division Manager; Phyllis P. Macleod, Hearing Examiner]

The consent agenda was adopted without comment.

PUBLIC COMMENT

All comment this week was on human services funding. Representatives from the Rainbow Center, Oasis Youth Center, and Campfire Orca, and several supporters of Proyecto MoLE shared a little information on how they serve the community, and thanked the Council for the funding.

REGULAR AGENDA

APPOINTMENTS

Resolution No. 39056 A resolution appointing Anna Petersen and Meredith Neal to the Planning Commission.

Appointments were made, citizens were thanked. Thanks to everyone who commits their time, energy, and expertise to serving on committees, boards, and commissions for our city.

PURCHASE RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 39057 A resolution awarding a contract to Rosenbauer South Dakota, LLC, in the amount of $758,976, plus sales tax and licensing, budgeted from the 2010 LTGO Bond Fund and General Fund, for one Rosenbauer 109-foot aerial ladder truck - National Joint Powers Alliance Contract # 011714-RSD. [Michael Fitzgerald, Assistant to the Chief; James P. Duggan, Fire Chief]

The resolution was adopted without comment.

We now interrupt your regularly scheduled City Council meeting for a special meeting of Tacoma's TBD Governing Board...

---------- City of Tacoma Transportation Benefit District Governing Board SPECIAL MEETING ------------

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no comment.

REGULAR AGENDA

ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. TBD007 An ordinance approving the 2015-2016 Transportation Benefit District Budget and Spending Plan.

The district is expected to generate in the neighborhood of $4.8 million in the next two years. Those funds will allow the City to chip seal residential and arterial streets, construct ADA accessible curb ramps, and make improvements to traffic signals. Two public hearings have been held, and the final reading for the ordinance will be next week.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Resolution No. 39058 A resolution awarding a contract to Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services, LLC, in the amount of $700,000, plus variable fees, budgeted from the Convention Center Operating Fund, to provide food and beverage services to the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, effective January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2018 - Direct Negotiation. [Jon Houg, Deputy Director; Kim Bedier, Director, Public Assembly Facilities]

Resolution No. 39059 A resolution authorizing the increase of a contract with Petrocard, Inc., in the amount of $4,714,488, plus sales tax, for a cumulative total of $18,820,890, budgeted from various departmental funds, for mobile, marine and cardlock fueling and carwash services, and extending the contract through January 31, 2016 - Specification No. UF11-0577F. [Justin E. Davis, Facilities Division Manager; Kurtis D. Kingsolver, P.E., Director, Public Works]

Both of these purchase resolutions were also adopted without comment.

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 39060 A resolution authorizing the execution of an interagency agreement with the Washington State Department of Health, in the amount of $30,000; accepting and depositing said sum into the Tacoma Water Fund, for a feasibility study of acquiring the service area of the Andrain Road Water Association. [Tony Lindgren, Distribution Engineering Manager; Linda McCrea, Water Superintendent]

The Andrain association, which has been receiving its water from Tacoma Water since 1940, is at maximum capacity, and has been ordered by the State to construct improvements to allow it to serve more customers. In lieu of doing that, the association has requested to be acquired by Tacoma Water. The $30,000 grant will cover a feasibility study for the acquisition.

Resolution No. 39061 A resolution authorizing the execution of a Letter of Agreement negotiated with Teamsters Local 117 and Teamsters Local 313. [Mike Brock, Labor Negotiator; Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources] 

This resolution and the following four authorize the execution of negotiated letters of agreement with the various union groups. All five were adopted without comment.

Resolution No. 39062 A resolution authorizing the execution of a Letter of Agreement negotiated with the Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17. [Tara Schaak, Labor Negotiator; Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources]

Resolution No. 39063 A resolution authorizing the execution of a Letter of Agreement negotiated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 483, Customer and Field Services Unit. [Tara Schaak, Labor Negotiator; Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources]

Resolution No. 39064 A resolution authorizing the execution of a Letter of Agreement negotiated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 483, Water Pollution Control Unit. [Tara Schaak, Labor Negotiator; Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources]

Resolution No. 39065 A resolution authorizing the execution of a Letter of Agreement negotiated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 483, Supervisors’ Unit. [Tara Schaak, Labor Negotiator; Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources]

Resolution No. 39066 A resolution approving the 2015-2016 Human Services funding recommendations in alignment with the service priorities as adopted in the 2015-2019 Human Services Strategic Plan. [Pam Duncan, Human Services Division Manager; Nadia Chandler Hardy, Director, Neighborhood and Community Services]

The Human Services Strategic Plan helps guide the selection process by identifying service priorities. Human Services funding policies include a cap limiting City funding to 50% of program budget and a minimum of $20,000 annual funding per program, no guarantee of funding, funding for programs rather than agencies. The competitive funding process scores programs based on various criteria, but will prioritize critical needs serving programs over other programs. 

The Human Services Commission reviewed funding applications from programs in two categories – Community Services and Mental Health Substance Use Disorder. The commission had a tough task, with funding requests by far exceeding available funds in both categories: $11.7 million in requests for community services funding, with only $5.1 million available, and $5.04 million in mental health substance use disorder funding requests, with only $1.9 million available.

Funds were awarded to programs supporting employability, self determination and empowerment; preparing children and youth for success; meeting basic needs; jail and hospital diversion, youth programs, and community-based care. There were no applications received for the $485,728 available for programs to reduce chronic homelessness. An RFP will be published for programs to fill this need.

The resolution was adopted with a few amendments making adjustments to various attached exhibits.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES 

Ordinance No. 28261 An ordinance amending Chapter 12.08 of the Municipal Code, relating to Wastewater and Surface Water Management - Regulation and Rates, to adjust rates and charges for services for 2015 and 2016. [Daniel C. Thompson, Division Manager; Michael P. Slevin III, P.E., Director, Environmental Services]

The proposal is for a 6% and 6.1% increase in wastewater rates and 5.5% and 5.6% increase in surface water rates for 2015 and 2016, respectively, spread evenly across all customer classes. The average customer will see an increase of $5.75 per month in 2015, and $6.12 in 2016 for both these water rate increases and the solid waste rate increases in the following ordinance. Low-income ratepayer assistance will continue to be fully funded. The ordinance will get a final reading next week.

Ordinance No. 28262 An ordinance amending Chapter 12.09 of the Municipal Code, relating to Solid Waste, Recycling, and Hazardous Waste, to adjust rates and charges for services for 2015 and 2016; granting certain customer requests for changes in Solid Waste services; and authorizing Call-2-Haul services for commercial customers. [Gary H. Kato, Division Manager; Michael P. Slevin III, P.E., Director, Environmental Services]

Rate increases in this category would total 3.8% overall, but differ by customer category. The proposal is for a 5.6% increase for all residential customers across all container sizes. In an effort to bring rates for commercial customers inline with costs for services provided, most commercial customers would see no increase, or a close to 0% increase. The exception would be for commercial customers using compactors, who could see up to a 7% increase in their rates. Again, these increases are included in that $5.75 to $6 average increase, and low-income assistance would continue to be provided.

There is also a recommendation for a $5 per year increase over the next two years for the minimum 400 pound load delivered to the transfer station. That rate is currently a low $10, which attracts customers from outside Tacoma, who are subsidized by Tacoma ratepayers.

Ordinance No. 28263 An ordinance amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to implement rates of pay and compensation for represented and non-represented classifications, and changes in classifications to reflect the organizational structure. [Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources]

This ordinance implements the five resolutions from earlier in the agenda, along with other changes for non-represented employees, and some administrative updates. 

Ordinance No. 28264 An ordinance amending the Biennial Budget for fiscal years 2013-2014, to appropriate funds for contract obligations, transfers, and other budget adjustments; authorizing interfund transfers and contributions; and accepting, depositing, and appropriating miscellaneous donations, contributions, and fees. [Tadd Wille, Budget Officer; Andy Cherullo, Director, Finance]

This ordinance, the first of seven related to the budget, makes adjustments necessary to close out the 2013-2014 budget, accounting for additional revenue, resolutions passed, and other changes over the course of the biennium. This time around the requests total $9.58 million, and all appropriation increases are offset by revenue adjustments, with no request for adjustments to the general fund.

Ordinance No. 28265 An ordinance amending Chapter 6B.50 of the Municipal Code, relating to Ambulances, authorizing charges for non-transport-related emergency medical advanced life support services; and establishing the 2015 base rate for said services. [Michael Newhouse, Medical Services Officer; James P. Duggan, Fire Chief]

This ordinance would implement a new fee for emergency medical services such as diabetic or asthma related stabilization. The new fee is expected to raise $160,000 in revenue in the biennium. Elsewhere in the budget are other increases to advanced life support fees, which have not been increased since 2005. Those increases are expected to generate approximately $800,000.

Ordinance No. 28266 An ordinance amending Chapter 3.09 of the Municipal Code, relating to Fire Code Permits and Fees, providing for fees related to code enforcement inspections of buildings of various industrial, commercial, and multi-family uses, effective June 1, 2015. [Patrick K. McElligott, Assistant Chief; James P. Duggan, Fire Chief]

Establishes inspection fees for code inspections of commercial, multi-family, and industrial buildings in Tacoma. The fees, ranging between $35 and $450 depending on the size and risk of fire based on the use of the building, are expected to bring in approximately $450,000 to help offset the costs of the service. Businesses get a certificate of inspection when they pass, showing that they are safely in compliance with the fire code, which can be shared with their insurance company. Fire inspections are factored into calculations of commercial business rates, so continued inspections are important to keep rates from increasing, as well as to keep the public safe, and reduce need for emergency services.

With the expiration of Tacoma's federal SAFER grants, the Fire Department is again in the position of looking for ways to avoid layoffs and cuts to service. The Fire Department inspects 5,400 businesses annually in Tacoma. Tacoma would not be alone in charging this fee - other cities including Olympia, Vancouver, and Portland charge fees, ranging anywhere from $25 to $2,000.

Ordinance No. 28267 An ordinance reallocating and applying unspent bond proceeds remaining in accounts from the City’s 2009 Bonds and the 2010 Bonds, in the cumulative amount of $3 million, to finance capital costs of the Lincoln Streetscape Improvement Project. [Teresa Sedmak, City Treasurer; Andy Cherullo, Director, Finance]

This ordinance would reallocate $3 million in unspent bond proceeds to streetscape improvements in the Lincoln Business District. The funds are left over from other completed projects, and need to be spent on public capital projects.

Ordinance No. 28268 An ordinance amending Chapter 6A.10 of the Municipal Code, relating to General Tax Provisions, and Chapter 6A.30, relating to Business and Occupation Tax, to exempt businesses with an annual gross income of less than $250,000 from the requirement to file a City Business and Occupation tax return. [Danielle Larson, Division Manager; Andy Cherullo, Director, Finance]

Businesses making less than $250,000 annually are already exempt from paying Tacoma’s B&O tax, but they are currently required to file a tax return with the City. This ordinance would exempt those businesses from the City filing requirement. The change is expected to save the City $15,000 in printing, mailing, and staff processing time in the next biennium.

Ordinance No. 28269 An ordinance amending the Capital Facilities Element of the Comprehensive Plan, and adopting the 2015-2020 Capital Facilities Program. [Tadd Wille, Budget Officer; Andy Cherullo, Director, Finance]

The Capital Facilities Program is a planning document containing the capital projects the City would like to complete or fund over the next six years, regardless of whether funding has been allocated. 97 projects have been removed from the 2015 through 2020 CFP due to completion, consolidation, or cancelled, and 75 new projects have been added. New projects are in areas including municipal facilities; paths/trails, bicycling, and pedestrian improvements; public safety facilities; street projects; public assembly facilities; Tacoma Rail; and the Thea Foss Waterway.

Ordinance No. 28270 An ordinance adopting the 2015-2016 Biennial Budget of the City of Tacoma; and authorizing the use of Council Contingency Funds. [Tadd Wille, Budget Officer; Andy Cherullo, Director, Finance]

The 2015-2016 budget is balanced, with revenues expected to cover expenditures. The budget includes revenue enhancements and adjustments, as well as strategic reductions and enhancements to services. There’s funding for sidewalks and pedestrian improvements, as well as pothole repairs. There will be no reductions to police and fire positions, with City funding covering expiring federal grants, in part through new or increased fees for services.

The City Manager has recommended several changes to the proposed budget. From the General Fund, those include a $480,000 grant match for Broadway Center improvements, $250,000 for Foss Waterway wharf repairs, $160,000 for an equity and empowerment capacity building program, and a few other programs. There’s also a recommendation of another $1.02 million for the Broadway Center grant match from the City’s Performing Arts Fund – from the early termination of the lease for the Pantages Theater. Revenue adjustments to cover these additional expenditures come from the sale of the Murano parking lot.

Other adjustments would direct $50,000 to Chinese Reconciliation Park work, and $250,000 to the Mobility Master Plan. Those funds come from savings on prior REET funded projects, and a shift of $150,000 in catalytic project funding.

There’s also a recommendation to spend Council Contingency funds on a few select projects. Those include an equity and empowerment capacity building pilot project, a financial opportunity center for working families, and an Eastside farmers’ market.

All seven budget-related ordinances will get final readings at next week's City Council meeting.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL 

Government Performance and Finance Committee – Councilmember Lonergan reported on recent issues addressed by the committee.

  • Heard financial reports for the month of August and the third quarter. Revenues continue to be favorable, with an overall favorable balance of $7.5 million.
  • Received an update on File Local, the online one-stop portal for businesses to renew their city business licenses and pay B&O tax. The portal will be phased in starting in early 2015.
  • Conducted interviews for the Board of Ethics and the Audit Advisory Board, and made recommendations for appointments.

At its next meeting the committee will hear presentations on the City’s Local Improvement District program and Microsoft Enterprise Agreement renewal.

Councilmember Boe had a list of upcoming events to share.

Councilmember Campbell announced the good news from Tacoma Public Schools that graduation rates are up over the last three years from 55% to 78%.

Councilmember Ibsen also announced the Fort Nisqually 19th Century Christmas, and the Fair Trade Market at Bethany Presbyterian church this Sunday from 12 to 3.

ADJOURNMENT 

For more on the items on this week’s agenda, see our City Business Preview.

Filed under: City Council, Legislation, City Government