Tacoma City Council Meeting - July 10, 2012

This week’s City Council meeting agenda was light, but a week with Citizens’ Forum on the program tends not to be boring. 

Mayor Strickland was absent, so Deputy Mayor Lonergan was in the driver’s seat.

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Deputy Mayor Lonergan proclaimed July 2012 as Gay Pride Month in the City of Tacoma.  The Tacoma Pride Festival, which kicks off this Friday will be marked by a number of events, including Out in the Park this Saturday.  Look for lamp posts in the Theater District decorated in celebration. 

Interim Fire Chief Jim Duggan presented the Medal of Valor to Tacoma Fire Fighter Matt Fleming, who saved a victim from drowning earlier this month.

PUBLIC COMMENT
No comment.

REGULAR AGENDA

APPOINTMENTS

Resolution No. 38507 Appointing and reappointing individuals to the Planning Commission, the Public Utility Board, and the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

A number of appointments and reappointments were made.  No other comment.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28080 (Continued from the meeting of June 26, 2012) Amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to allow employees to take Personal Time-Off in tenth-of-an-hour increments, provide clarifying language regarding cash-out eligibility, and add language to provide for VEBA contributions upon separation where applicable. 

The ordinance proposes three changes: allowing City employees to take paid time off in one-tenth of an hour increments (as they already take sick leave), adding criteria to clarify cash-out eligibility, and aligning the Tacoma Municipal Code language regarding PTO accruals upon separation from the City.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.

CITIZENS’ FORUM
The vast majority of the comment this week was from residents of the Hilltop who are concerned over the potential location of a halfway house in their neighborhood.  Councilmember Walker spoke first, letting the commenters know that the Council takes the issue seriously, and initial inquiries show that the property owner is not registerd to house sex offenders, that work on the property has been inspected and is appropriately permitted, and that the owner does not have a rental license, but is not renting to anyone yet.

The loudest concern voiced was that the house, which is in close proximity to an elementary school and a Boys and Girls Club, would be home to level two and three sex offenders.  Although many of the neighbors claim that the property owner plans to house sex offenders, there are contradictory statements that this would not be a part of the plan.  Nevertheless it has neighbors concerned.  Nearly two dozen residents of the neighborhood shared their thoughts about the impact of the house.  Other than concerns over sex offender housing, other concerns were voiced regarding the disproportionate number of halfway houses located in the Hilltop compared to other neighborhoods.  Questions were also raised about why there is not a better permitting and neighborhood notification process in place.

Aside from the halfway house comments, two speakers expressed concern regarding the impact of proposed zoning for “sensitive uses” on existing medical cannabis facilities.  Another speaker had questions about an Oregon Department of Transportation vehicle he saw with a road crew marking bike lanes.  We also heard from Ken Paulson, who voiced his displeasure that Robert Hill was named to be on the committee to write the “against” statement for the upcoming Pierce Transit tax increase proposition. 

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER
City Manager Broadnax reported that effective July 5 2012 the Tacoma Municipal Court began accepting online payment via credit card.  If you’re in a position to need to take advantage of the new system, you can do so at www.CityofTacoma.org/MunicipalCourt.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Most of Council comments were in response to the large volume of public comment on the potential halfway house in the Hilltop.  Council members expressed concern over the situation, and promised to keep attention on the issue.  Councilmember Mello requested a study session with more information on the legal limitations and possibilities around the issue, including DOC procedures, noticing procedures, and possible ways of buffering sensitive areas. 

Councilmember Mello also thanked the City for proclaiming Gay Pride Month in Tacoma, and encouraged everyone to participate in an event that was of interest to them.  More information is available at www.tacomapride.org.

Councilmember Campbell reminded us that this weekend there will be another community cleanup, this time in the McKinley Neighborhood.

Councilmember Fey mentioned that both Art on the Ave and the Tacoma Old Town Blues Fest will be happening this weekend. 

Councilmember Ibsen reminded us of the community budget meetings going on this month, and thanked everyone who has come out so far. 

City Manager Broadnax spoke again, with a little more information on the question of regulating halfway house locations.  Broadnax promised to follow up, but said that the power of the City in the matter is limited by a state level preemption on the City’s ability to regulate.  He is exploring possibilities of considering regulations on zoning, licensing for rental housing, and other measures taken by other cities on the topic. 

Broadnax also introduced Gwen Schuler as the new community and media services manager.  Schuler comes to us from San Antonio, where she worked as PIO for the City before her most recent position as Director of Communications for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. 

ADJOURNMENT

Well, with a light agenda, that ended up being a fairly heavy meeting.  And that’s why we like Citizens’ Forum – it keeps us on our toes.