Tacoma City Council Meeting for December 7, 2010

Here are our notes from this week’s City Council meeting. The big agenda item of the week – THE BUDGET.

CONSENT AGENDA

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mayor Marilyn Strickland proclaimed December 21, 2010 as “Puget Sound Revels Day” in Tacoma and presented the proclamation to Mary Lynn, Executive Director of The Puget Sound Revels.

A handful of Revelers performed “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” for the council.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Most of the comments came from union workers who asked the council to sign on to the Hotel Workers’ Bill of Rights and to patronize hotels that treat their workers fairly. Strickland allowed the comments but told the speakers it was “a stretch” to relate them to the city budget.

• One person spoke about the solid waste-management ordinances, and recommended increasing solid waste utility rates. He said solid waste-water rate payers escaped years of payment that fell on waste-water utility payers instead. He said his recommendations would have no impact on typical customers.

• One person asked the council not to use Hollander Marriott or continue to give them subsidies for building.

• One person commended the Hotel Murano for treating workers well and encouraged the city to use building subsidies to encourage other developers to be equally responsible.

• One person spoke about poor workers and the need to protect their interests with responsible developers.

• One person asked the council to sign the Hotel Workers’ Bill of Rights and to patronize hotels that treat their workers fairly.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 38156 passed unanimously adopts the 2011 State Legislative and Federal Policy Agendas for the 2011 sessions of the United States Congress and Washington State Legislature.

Resolution No. 38157 passed unanimously and approves a Historic Preservation Special Valuation Tax Agreement with Fred Roberson for the rehabilitation of the property located at 1224 Tacoma Avenue South.

Resolution No. 38158 passed unanimously and designates the following properties as City Landmarks and adding said properties to the Tacoma Register of Historic Places:

1. Conrad and Annie Beutel House, 701 North 10th Street;
2. Fern Hill Elementary School, 8442 South Park Avenue;
3. Central Administration Building, 601 South 8th Street;
4. Jason Lee Middle School, 602 North Sprague Avenue;
5. Stewart Middle School, 5010 Pacific Avenue;
6. McCarver Elementary School, 2111 South J Street; and
7. Whitman Elementary School, 1120 South 39th Street.

Resolution No. 38159 passed with 8 aye votes and 1 absent vote and authorizes the execution of an amendment to the agreement with Siemens Enterprise Communications, Inc., in the amount of $111,055, budgeted from the Building and Land Use Services Fund, for Interactive Voice Response professional services.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 27946 (Continued from the meeting of November 23, 2010) a substitute amended motion adopts the 2011-2012 Biennial Budget of the City of Tacoma. The ordinance passed with 8 ayes and one nay from Council Member Jake Fey.

One of the changes include a reduction to the general fund of $2.4 million, which impacts the police and fire pension funds. The other change was made to include updated numbers from Tacoma Public Utilities.

Council member Lauren Walker said the council will be taking seriously the concerns of residents struggling with public utility rate increases, and is committed to hearing their concerns.

PUBLIC COMMENT

• One man said people are nervous about the economy.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 27956 (Continued from the meeting of November 23, 2010) amends Chapters 8.12 and 11.05 of the Municipal Code,relating to public disturbance noise, to change the penalty for loud vehicle sound systems from a crime to a civil infraction.

Ordinance No. 27960 Substitute amends Chapter 12.08 of the Municipal Code, relating to Wastewater and Surface Water Management, to adjust rates and charges for services provided by the Wastewater and Surface Water utilities for 2011 and 2012, effective January 1, 2011.

Ordinance No. 27961 amends Chapter 12.09 of the Municipal Code, relating to Solid Waste Management, to adjust rates and charges for services provided by the Solid Waste utility for 2011 and 2012, effective February 1, 2011.

Ordinance No. 27962 amends Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to implement the 2011 wage provisions for the following unions:

1. Professional Public Safety Managers Association;
2. Tacoma Police Management Association, Local 26, IUPA; • Tacoma Fire Fighters Union, Local 31;
3. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District Lodge 160, Yard Clerk, Rail Mechanics, and Track Workers Units; and
4. United Transportation Union, Switch Crew and Yardmasters Units.

Ordinance No. 27963 amends the 2009-2010 Biennial Budget to appropriate funds for contractual obligations, transfers, and other budget adjustments; and accepting, depositing, and appropriating miscellaneous donations, contributions, and/or fees.

CITIZENS’ FORUM

• One person said he would like barking dogs to be added to the public disturbance noise code. He requested the council’s personal cell phone numbers so he can call them when he is awakened by his neighbors’ dogs. He also suggested a new government complex be built in place of the Nalley plant.

• Sara Clair of the Greater Metro Parks Foundation read a letter about the proposed shoreline master program updates. She said Metro Parks will stay engaged throughout the process.

• A Stadium District resident requested a working session with Sperry Ocean Dock for residents of the neighborhood. He said there is not enough buffer zone between the neighborhood and the ships.

• One man spoke about the allegations made against Hollander Marriott and said that as a tax-paying citizen he wants to know that his dollars are going to subsidies for businesses that treat their employees well. He also spoke about his concern about the growing number of “have-nots” in Tacoma, and said he’s willing to pay higher taxes to maintain important city services.

• A representative from Washington State Jobs With Justice. also spoke about the standard for worker treatment by hotels in the city.

And here is where the DVR failed. We know 7 more people spoke, but don’t have the proof. Stay tuned for updated Citizens Forum notes later this week.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL