Tacoma City Council Meeting - January 13, 2015

Lively public comment at Citizens' Forum was definitely the highlight of this week's meeting. 

CONSENT AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 39095 A resolution setting Tuesday, February 3, 2015, at approximately 5:30 p.m., as the date for a public hearing by the City Council on the proposed adoption of permanent land use regulations concerning the production, processing, and retail sale of recreational marijuana.

Resolution No. 39096 A resolution accepting seven grants from the Puget Sound Regional Council, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board and the Federal Highways Administration, in the total amount of $13,010,976, and depositing said sum into the Transportation Capital and the Paths and Trails Funds, to fund various Public Works projects including roadways, bridges, trails, bikeways and a public promenade.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28240 An ordinance approving the reclassification of a portion of the property located at 4810 South Wilkeson Street from an “R-2” One-Family Dwelling District to a “C-2” General Community Commercial District, and provide for a modification to the “C-2” zone on the remainder of the site for construction of a 44,500-square-foot furniture store and associated parking.

Ordinance No. 28242 An ordinance amending Chapter 13.06 of the Municipal Code to reclassify two parcels totaling approximately 2.23 acres located at 620 and 630 South Pearl Street from an “R-2” Single-Family Dwelling District to an “R-4-L” Low-Density Multiple-Family Dwelling District to allow for the construction of a 60-bed extended care facility.

The consent agenda was adopted without comment.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Councilmember Woodards read a proclamation of Monday, January 19, 2015 as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the City of Tacoma in honor of Dr. King’s contributions to the world through his words and deeds. Woodards invited everyone to come to Tacoma's MLK Day celebration at the Tacoma Convention Center on Monday, January 19 at 11 a.m. It will be the largest indoor MLK Day celebration in Washington State.

PUBLIC COMMENT

One commenter spoke, thanking the Council for the $1,170,172 in funds for the Schuster Promenade included in the $13 million in grants accepted in the consent agenda resolution, and asking that if the opportunity arises to complete the connection between downtown to Tacoma and Point Defiance along the waterfront, they do so. “I hope I haven’t been too much of a pain in the butt," he said, "but I really don’t care. I just want you to do something.”

REGULAR AGENDA

PURCHASE RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 39097 A resolution awarding a contract to Pease & Sons, Inc., in the amount of $5,072,571.00, excluding sales tax, plus a 20 percent contingency and a 2.5 percent Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance Fee, for a cumulative total of $6,213,899.48, budgeted from the Surface Water Fund, to refurbish the Cleveland Way Stormwater Pump .

The resolution was adopted without comment.

Resolution No. 39098 A resolution awarding a contract to Miles Resources, LLC, in the amount of $1,833,614.34, including sales tax, plus a 15 percent contingency, for a cumulative total of $2,129,713.30, budgeted from the Surface Water Fund, for permeable pavement and stormwater improvement on Asotin Street between South 42nd and South 48th Streets; Cushman Avenue between South 44th and South 46th Streets; and South 45th Street from Asotin Street to Cushman Avenue.

Also adopted without comment.

Resolution No. 39099 A resolution authorizing the execution of an amendment to the agreement with Pierce County Security, Inc., in the amount of $153,155.00, sales tax not applicable, for a cumulative total of $648,577.50, budgeted from the Municipal Building Acquisition and Operation Fund, to extend the contract through June 30,

Adopted. No comment.

Resolution No. 39100 A resolution awarding a contract to the low bidder, in the approximate amount of $1,511,600, for an approximate total cost of $1,720,875, budgeted from the Transportation Capital Fund, for completion of the Foss Esplanade Site 11, Phase 2 project.

Councilmember Mello commented that he’s glad we’re getting this important connection done. Staff explained that the unusual move of approving a contract to the lowest bidder without a specific bidder to name was being taken because the project is up against a “fish window,” meaning that the in-water work needs to be done before their permit for it expires on February 15. The esplanade section in question is adjacent to the Foss Harbor Marina, which will need the work complete so they can operate this summer.

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 39101 A resolution designating the Point Defiance Streetcar Station, located at 5801 Trolley Lane, as a City Landmark and placing said property on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places. 

The historic pagoda at Point Defiance was originally built in 1914 as a station for Tacoma’s early 20th century trolley car system. The building is an example of Asian-inspired arts and crafts architecture, and was a part of the 1911 master plan for Point Defiance. In 2011 we nearly lost the pagoda to an arsonist, but Tacoma Fire was able to put it out, and the historic structure was restored. As the  City’s Historic Preservation Officer commented, it’s a surprise that the building wasn’t already on the register. Now that has been corrected.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28277 An ordinance amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to implement rates of pay and compensation for employees represented by Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17; Washington State Council of County and City Employees, Local 120; and the District Lodge #160, on behalf of Local Lodge #297, of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, General Unit.

The ordinance was adopted without comment.

Ordinance No. 28278 An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of sewer revenue and refunding bonds, in an amount not to exceed $125,000,000, to refund certain outstanding sewer bonds; finance the acquisition, construction, and installation of additions and improvements to, and equipment for, the sewer system; and other related costs, and delegating the authority to approve the final terms of the bonds.

Another one adopted, no comment.

Ordinance No. 28279 An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of solid waste revenue bonds, in an amount not to exceed $75,000,000, to refund certain outstanding solid waste revenue bonds; finance the acquisition, construction, and installation of additions and improvements to, and equipment for, the solid waste system; and other related costs, and delegating the authority to approve the final terms of the bonds.

And one more time. Adopted. No comment.

CITIZENS’ FORUM

Commenters at this month's Citizens' Forum covered a diverse range of topics.

Three citizens asked the council to consider a ban on the sale of puppies and kittens in Tacoma. These commenters said that pet stores (one Tacoma store in particular) that sell puppies and kittens, rather than adopting them out via the Humane Society, support cruel and unethical puppy mills, and should not be allowed.

Eight individuals spoke to the council's pending decision on paid sick leave. All asked for the kinds of adjustments to the ordinance that we've heard at previous meetings - an increase to the minimum number of days offered and inclusion of union-represented workers. Commenters cited the current flu season among the reasons for going beyond a three day minimum, and several described the omission of union workers as discriminatory. A couple of commenters suggested the council use the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as an opportunity to reflect on what Dr. King would do.

We heard from a cyclist thanking the City for its work on improving bike infrastructure so far, but saying that there's more work to be done. Then there was the lineup of Citizens' Forum regulars - Robert Hill asked that the council look into problems with the Orca card, which he described as technical flaws with the designers and/or politicians. Our regular conspiracy theorist described a meeting he had with President Obama and Jesse Ventura, in which the President gave him information on sexual predators. He was gaveled down before we could hear what he had to say on that or on the "holes in our mountains." Another of our regulars went from MLK's life to the need for more bus service to a ban on smoking in public parks to enforcement of no smoking at bus stops to encouraging everyone to use their lights when driving to "thank you, and good night."

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Councilmember Woodards asked the City Manager and his staff to put together a report on puppy and kitten sales in Tacoma in response to citizen comments. Woodards also reminded us that city council meetings for next week have been cancelled for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, and encouraged everyone to go to the City’s MLK Day celebration at the Convention Center.

ADJOURNMENT

It was a bit of a lack-luster meeting for the Council today. Both Mayor Strickland and Deputy Mayor Boe were absent from this week's meeting. That may explain why the council seemed to be dragging a bit - or maybe they're suffering from that nasty flu bug that's going around. If that's the case, we feel their pain. 

For more on the items on this week's agenda see our City Business Preview for the week.