Tacoma City Council Meeting - December 6, 2011

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 38380 Sets Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at approximately 5:30 p.m., as the date for a public hearing by the City Council on the findings of the State Auditor’s Office performance audit report regarding the City’s process for allocation of overhead costs between the General Fund and the utility funds.

Resolution No. 38381 Sets Tuesday, January 3 January 10, 2012, at approximately 5:30 p.m., as the date for a public hearing by the City Council on the proposed establishment of a Transportation Benefit District to fund and make improvements to the City’s transportation system.

There was some a lot of confusion over how to properly address the fact that there will be no meeting on January 3rd. Uh oh. Not the way we want to start what promises to be a long night. Not a good sign.

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mayor Strickland proclaims December 10th, 2011 Human Rights Day, expressing a commitment to achieve human rights for all.

Mayor Strickland proclaims December 31st, 2011 First Night Day, and encourages all Tacomans to join in the community celebration.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Budget-related comments will be taken during the public hearings and appeals at the end of the meeting. There are overflow rooms for audience members who can’t fit into the Council chambers.

The arts community showed in full force to express their opposition to and anxiety over the effects of the proposal to waive the 5% ticket tax. Other than some confusion from people wanting to speak to the budget cuts, and an Occupy Tacoma member wanting to read the mission statement, comment was short and focused.

Occupy Tacoma: Proceeds to read the OT mission statement…
Strickland: wtf? Is this on the agenda? (paraphrased)
OT – That is all.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 38384 Authorizing the execution of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Teamsters Local Union No. 117, Public Assembly Facilities Unit, which covers approximately 33 budgeted, full-time positions and provides in part for zero wage increases for 2011 and 2012, and a Consumer Price Index-based increase in 2013, effective January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28033 Grants a ten-year non-exclusive telecommunications franchise to Sprint Communications Company, L.P., and providing for severability.

Ordinance No. 28038 Authorizes Tacoma Rail to reissue switching tariff TMBL 8807 and to adjust freight rates based on cost of service changes, generating an additional $570,000 of revenue, effective January 1, 2012.

Ordinance No. 28039 Adopting the Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Program for amended year 2011 and 2012-2017.

Ordinance No. 28040 Modifying the 2011-2012 Biennial Budget to appropriate funds for additional contractual obligations, transfers, and other budget adjustments; authorizing interfund transfers and contributions; and accepting, depositing, and appropriating miscellaneous donations, contributions, and/or fees.

Amended Ordinance No. 28041 Amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to add a new Section 1.12.265 Leave Without Pay.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28042 Amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to implement rates of pay and compensation for 50 budgeted, full-time positions represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District Lodge 160, Rail Mechanics Unit and Track Workers Unit; and the United Transportation Union, Switch Crew Unit and Yardmasters Unit.

Ordinance No. 28043 Amending Chapter 6B.20 of the Municipal Code, relating to annual business licenses, to increase the annual business license fee from $80 to $90; add a reduced annual business fee of $45 $25 for persons with an annual gross income of less than $10,000 $12,000; and repeal Section 6B.20.030 in its entirety.

Every business in Tacoma, or doing business in Tacoma is required to have a business license. Businesses making under $10,000 a year haven’t paid the fee since the 80s. Nonprofits see no change. The amendment changing the dollar amounts passed.

Ordinance No. 28044 Amending Chapter 6A.20 of the Municipal Code, relating to admission tax, to remove the exemption provided to those attending events sponsored by non-profit organizations in Section 6A.20.030.E; and require non-profit organizations with annual admission revenues over $250,000 to collect a 5 percent tax on all admission charges exceeding $250,000, effective July 1, 2012.

Council has been working with the arts community to address concerns, so we may see an amended or substitute ordinance addressing issues such as sunsetting the tax when current budget challenges are resolved.

Ordinance No. 28045 Amending Chapter 6B.40 of the Municipal Code, relating to alarm devices, to increase the false alarm service fee from $60 to $100.

This fee applies specifically pertaining to alarm system calls.

Ordinance No. 28046 Amending Chapter 11.60 of the Municipal Code, relating to traffic safety, to increase the penalty for infractions issued by an automated traffic safety camera from $101 to $124.

This ordinance equalizes the discrepancy in ticket price between officer issued infractions and camera issued infractions. Over the years since cameras were installed, the officer-initiated infraction fine has increased, while the camera fine has not.

PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPEALS

This is the date set for a public hearing by the City Council on the proposed 2012 budget reductions for the General Fund.

Beginning with brief presentation from City Manager to explain the situation: the background, the items at stake, how we got where we are, and the budget changes as they stand now.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so to summarize:

You were probably there, everyone else in Tacoma was, apparently. Heavy representation from fire and police, as well as a handful of supporters of DASH Center and other programs on the chopping block urged council not to cut programs and positions. In the end, Council reached a consensus that they would like at least a 30 day suspension on any job cuts, to allow time for staff and council to explore all possible options.

In all, more than 120 people were signed up to speak and more than 80 came to the podium. The emphasis was on public safety and the repercussions of cuts. Okay, point taken. So what do we do? If fire and police are out of the equation, what would you cut? Or where would you look for revenue increases? Both?

p.s. One speaker also mentioned a potential public/private partnership involving a lot of gold as a means to fix the budget crisis … awesome.