Tacoma City Council Meeting for November 9, 2010

CONSENT AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 38141 set Thursday, December 2, 2010, at 1:30 p.m., as the date for a hearing by the Hearing Examiner for the reconstruction of the structural sidewalk at 739 to 745 Broadway and the standard sidewalk at 1151 Tacoma Avenue South and assessing the properties directly abutting the sidewalk improvements for all costs associated with the reconstruction; and declaring such reconstruction necessary for public safety.

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

The city was presented with an award for employer support of the Army National Guard, and with two American flags flown by troops overseas in honor of Veterans Day.

The council heard a presentation from the Tacoma Historical Society about its new book, Tacoma’s Twenty-One Tales Every Student Should Be Able to Tell.

PUBLIC COMMENT

• One person spoke about the budget resolution, and said she believes citizens have not been told the truth about the city budget. She asked the city to honor its current agreement with Local 120, a union that rejected this week the city’s “best and final” pay adjustment offer. Read more here.

• Robert Hill spoke about a number of resolutions and ordinances, including an ordinance relating to inspections of side sewers, and asked the council to vote no on Ordinance No. 27948.

• Two other Local 120 members spoke against the city’s answer to the deadlocked negotiations.

• One person spoke out about the city’s negotiations with Local 120, saying that the process has broken down.

• Two people from the Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS spoke in favor of the side sewer ordinance.

PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPEALS

a. This is the date set for a public hearing by the City Council on the 2011-2012 Biennial Budget and the 2011-2016 Capital Facilities Program.

• Robert Hill spoke about the advantages of furloughs in cost-cutting.

b. This is the date set for a second public hearing by the City Council to set the proposed Ad Valorem tax levies and other General Fund revenues.

APPOINTMENTS
Resolution No. 38142 appointed and reappointed individuals to the Foss Waterway Development Authority. Brad Williamson was reappointed and Gary Peterson was appointed to the FDWA.

RESOLUTIONS
Purchase Resolution No. 38143
Awarded contracts to:

1. Radio Satellite Integrator, Inc., in the amount of $98,248.00, plus sales tax, budgeted from the Solid Waste Fund, for the purchase of Automatic Vehicle Location systems, for a one-year period with the option to renew for four additional one-year periods, for a projected contract total of $277,960.00 – Specification No. PW09-0686F; and
2. Tucci & Sons, Inc., in the amount of $200,000.00, sales tax not applicable, for a cumulative total of $1,376,362.20, budgeted from the Streets Special Revenue Fund, to increase the contract for additional work on the Portland Avenue Overlay East 38th Street to East 56th Street project- Specification No. PW10-0169F.

Resolution No. 38144 authorized the execution of an agreement with Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs, LLC, in the amount of $150,763, budgeted from the General Fund, for legislative lobbying services for 2011 and 2012.

Resolution No. 38145 authorized the execution of a Letter of Agreement with Teamsters Local Union No. 117, General Unit, which covers 259 budgeted, full-time positions, and provides in part for wage increases to reflect the 70th percentile of the market, clarifies language, and changes and deletes certain pay classifications, retroactive to January 1, 2009.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 27941 amended Chapter 9.08 of the Municipal Code, relating to street occupancies, to exempt gardening activities for the street occupancy permit application and renewal fees.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 27942 Authorizes a decrease in 2011 property tax revenue collection, in terms of both dollars and percentage, for the Emergency Medical Services property tax levy.

Ordinance No. 27943 authorizes an increase in 2011 general property tax revenue collection, in terms of both dollars and percentage, for the general property tax levy in 2011.

Ordinance No. 27944 fixes the amount of the 2011 Emergency Medical Services tax levies.

Ordinance No. 27945 fixes the amount of the 2011 Ad Valorem property tax levies.

Ordinance No. 27946 adopts the 2011-2012 Biennial Budget of the City of Tacoma.

Ordinance No. 27947 amends Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to implement rates of pay and compensation for 259 budgeted, full-time positions represented by Teamsters Local Union No. 117, General Unit, effective retroactive to January 1, 2009.

Ordinance No. 27948 amends Section 12.08.720 of the Municipal Code to remove the requirement for a side sewer inspection at the time of sale and substituting in its place a program to educate property owners regarding side sewer conditions and maintenance obligations; and amending Sections 12.08.030 and 2.06.070 of the Municipal Code to remove the references to the side sewer inspection requirements.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mayor Marilyn Strickland gave a recap of how the wage freeze and budget issues got to where they are today. Prior to the recession, city employees were asked to hold at 1 percent for two consecutive years with the promise of bringing them to market after the Classification and Compensation Study was completed.

All but two of the collective bargaining units have so far been brought to market wages. Once all employees have been brought to market, the city will ask for a wage freeze to address budget deficiencies.

CITIZENS’ FORUM

• One man spoke about the problem of barking dogs and enforcement issues related to the city’s noise ordinance in the municipal code. He also spoke last week.

• Robert Hill recommended looking into a 4/10 work week for city employees.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

• Strickland reminded people that City of Tacoma offices will be closed Thursday for Veterans Day. Garbage and recycling services will continue as usual.

• Councilmember David Boe congratulated Tacoma Opera on a wonderful performance this past weekend.

• Strickland added that she attended the 10th anniversary celebration of the College Success Foundation and said Tacoma represented very well.

• Councilmember Spiro Manthou inquired as to Strickland’s performance in Dancing With Tacoma Stars last weekend. The council congratulated contest winner Patricia Lecy-Davis.