Tacoma City Council Meeting for October 5, 2010

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

None this week.

PUBLIC COMMENT

• Robert Hill suggested freezing all wage negotiations until budget examinations are finished. He directed his comments to Deputy Mayor Jake Fey, citing Mayor Marilyn Strickland as “persona non grata.”

REGULAR AGENDA
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 38119 authorizes the execution of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 483, Tacoma Power Unit, which covers 362 budgeted, full-time positions, and provides in part for a wage increase of 2.5 percent retroactive to April 1, 2010, and wage increases in 2011 and 2012 based on the average percentage increase of the “Big 5 Utilities.”

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 27923 amends Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to implement rates of pay and compensation for employees represented by the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Local 17, which covers approximately 296 budgeted, full-time positions.

Ordinance No. 27931 amends Chapter 1.30 of the Municipal Code, relating to Retirement and Pensions, to eliminate any future option for additional voluntary contributions to the retirement plan; and clarify retirement plan compliance with Internal Revenue Service requirements.

Ordinance No. 27932 amends Chapter 1.30 of the Municipal Code, relating to Retirement and Pensions, to increase the total contributions of the employer and employee by 1 percent, effective the first pay period of January 2011, and increase the total contribution of the employer and employee by 1 percent, effective the first pay period in January 2012.

Ordinance No. 27933 amends Chapter 11.05 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Model Traffic Ordinance, to permit the City to recover emergency response costs incurred in responding to intoxicated vehicle operators.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 27935 amend Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to implement rates of pay and compensation for employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 483, Tacoma Power Unit, which covers 362 budgeted, full-time positions.

CITIZENS’ FORUM

• One woman spoke about what she views as the increasing problem of off-leash dogs in Tacoma. She said she was physically threatened when she asked an owner to leash his barking dog.

• One man spoke about his wish for a pedestrian and bicycle friendly waterfront promenade from the Thea Foss Waterway to Point Defiance Park.

• One woman spoke up against renewing a lease at Sperry Ocean Dock. More info here.

• Three men spoke about the lack of accountability from the Sperry Ocean Dock. Both cited the incident when black ash rained upon the Stadium District several weeks ago. One recommended City Council “be on that like a junkyard dog” to preserve a nice clean waterfront for the city.

• A woman spoke about her desire for better low-cost health clinics in Tacoma.

• Robert Hill spoke again, this time about what he believes is a “sensational legislative attempt” to deal the murder last year of four Lakewood police officers by Maurice Clemmons.

• Two people spoke about the presence of Sperry Ocean Dock on Tacoma’s waterfront. They implored the City Council to work with citizens to get the ships out of Tacoma.

• A man spoke about the need for regulation of medical marijuana dispensaries in Tacoma.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

• Councilmember David Boe plugged Walk Tacoma, a series of lunchtime walks leaving Fridays at noon from the Woolworth building downtown.

• Deputy Mayor Jake Fey requested further information on the appropriate steps to take on the Sperry Ocean Dock issue. He also commended the volunteer efforts of City of Tacoma employees.

• Councilmember Ryan Mello spoke about a recent bike ride along part of the Water Ditch Trail, and lauded the power of this “non-motorized transportation corridor.”

• Councilmember Victoria Woodards reminded the group that the Diabetes Walk is coming up this Saturday at Owen Beach.

• Mayor Marilyn Strickland expressed pride in the Northwest Sinfonietta.