Tacoma City Council Meeting - July 9, 2013

​PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mayor Strickland proclaimed July 2013 as Gay Pride Month in the City of Tacoma, and encouraged all Tacomans to join in the festivities of the Tacoma Pride Festival in celebration of diversity, acceptance, and equal protection under the law.

The Mayor also read a statement recognizing teachers, students, and members of the Taichung Delegation, and the relationship between the two cities, which has furthered Tacoma’s status as an international city.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

We heard two commenters speak in support of the pair of resolutions regarding the construction of a new mixed-use development on the Foss. One, representing the developers, encouraged Council to support the resolutions that will enable the project to move to the next phase, and thanked the City for making the process one of the most positive and responsive he’s dealt with as a developer. A representative of the Foss Waterway Development Authority also spoke, voicing FWDA support for both the development agreement, and the attached tax exemption that will make the project financially feasible.

REGULAR AGENDA 

APPOINTMENTS 

Resolution No. 38688 Appointing and reappointing individuals to serve on the Human Rights Commission, Public Utility Board , and Tacoma Planning Commission. [Mayor Marilyn Strickland) 

Councilmember Walker recused herself due to conflict of interest between her business and the Human Rights Commission.

RESOLUTIONS 

Purchase Resolution No. 38689 Awarding contracts to: 

1. NAC Archite cture, in the amount of $746,097,00 sales tax not applicable, budgeted from the LTGO Bond Funds 2009E and 2010E, for design, permitting, and construction administration of the People ‘s Community Center New Pool and Aquatics Facility through September 30, 2015-Specification No. PW11-0505F; [Jeffrey Jenkins, Facilities Management Division Manager; Kurtis Kingsolver, Interim Director, Public Works) 
2. Pease Construction , Inc., on its bid of $3,063,480.00, plus sales tax, plus a 14 percent contingency, for a cumulative total of $3,492,367.20, budgeted from the LTGO Bond Funds 2009E and 20100 , fo r the Marine Security Operations Center project located at 3301 Ruston Way to be completed in August of 2014 . - Specification No. PW13-0188F; and [Jeffrey Jenkins, Facil ities Management Division Manager; Kurtis Kingsolver, Interim Director, Public Works) 
3. Reid Middleton, Inc., in the amount of $108 ,978.00, sales tax not applicable, for a cumulative total of $577,457.00, budgeted from the LTGO Bond Funds 2009E and 201OD, to increase the contract for construction administration services for the Marine Security Operations Center project located at 3301 Ruston Way - Specification No. PW10-0748F. [Jeffrey Jenkins, Facilities Management Division Manager; Kurtis Kingsolver, Interim Director, Public Works]

Councilmember Boe recused himself from the vote to avoid the potential for the appearance of a conflict of interest relating to items 1 and 2.

Resolution No. 38690 Authorizing approximately $375 ,000 of the excess proceeds of the 2009
LTGO Bond Series E Fund to pay costs pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma to replace an estimated 3,300 linear feet of existing water main and add seven new fire hydrants to Fort Nisqually in Point Defiance Park. [Jeffrey Jenkins, Facilities Management Division Manager; Kurtis Kingsolver, Interim Director, Public Works] 

This resolution follows a June 11 resolution authorizing a memorandum of understanding between the City and Metro Parks for the replacement of fire suppression infrastructure in Point Defiance, with associated costs split 50/50. This week’s resolution authorizes the City of Tacoma side of that funding equation.This arrangement is in keeping with the interlocal agreement between the two entities that establishes shared goals and sustainable funding practices for City-owned properties managed by Metro Parks.

Resolution No. 38691 Authorizing the execution of a Development Agreement between the Foss Waterway Development Authority and the Henry Foss Group , LLC, for the property located at 1933 Dock Street on the Foss Waterway; and the execution of a Hazardous Substances Indemnification Agreement. [Martha Anderson, Assistant Director; Ricardo Noguera, Director, Community and Economic Development]

The Foss Waterway Development Authority negotiated the terms of the sale of the waterfront property for the purpose of constructing a mixed-use development including five stories of residential, two of parking, and approximately 12,000 square feet of commercial retail space. The sale price was about $25 per square foot, or $1.29 million. 

This first of two resolutions relating to the deal authorizes the development agreement, including requirements for on- and off-site work by the developer. That work will include public restrooms at the esplanade level, four parking stalls for short-term marina parking, improvements to Dock Street sidewalks, completion of the transition zone from the property line to the esplanade along the development site, permanent improvements to the north view and access corridor, and the completion of 40 feet of park on the south side of the property. The second part of the resolution requires the developer to sign onto the Department of Ecology consent decree, which governs development and environmental remediation along the waterfront. The City then indemnifies the developer from known contaminants, provided they do not cause further release.

Councilmember Boe recused himself from the vote to avoid the potential for the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Resolution No. 38692 Authorizing the execution of a Multi-Family Housing Eight-Year Limited Property Tax Exemption Agreement with the Foss Waterway Development Authority and the Henry Foss Group LLC, for the development of approximately 167 market-rate multi-family rental housing units located at 1933 Dock Street in the Downtown Mixed-Use Center. [Martha Anderson, Assistant Director; Ricardo Noguera, Director, Community and Economic Development]

The multi-family housing tax exemption would give a tax break for eight years on the 167 one- and two-bedroom, one- and two-bath units planned for the development. The exemption would not apply to the existing property value or to the commercial space. After eight years, the full development becomes taxable.

Councilmember Boe recused himself from voting on this item as well, to avoid any potential for the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Ordinance No. 28160 Amending Chapters 12.01, 12.06 , 12.08, 12.09, and 12.10 , relating to utilities, to increase the bill due date from 10 to 15 days on utility customer invoices. [Steve Hatcher, Customer Services Manager; Bill Gaines, Director of Utilities]

The ordinance passed without further Council comment.

CITIZENS’ FORUM

The only comment came from our most regular Citizens’ Forum commenter, returning to continue his rant complaints against the Ladenburg family, the City of Tacoma, the FBI, the ACLU, the Justice Department, the City Council, and others.

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER

No report.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Deputy Mayor Campbell announced Wednesday’s Live Downtown info session from 4 to 6 pm at Tacoma Cabana. 

Councilmember Boe had two events to announce.

• Art on the Ave is this Sunday, July 14 from 11 am to 7 pm, on 6th Ave between Cedar and Trafton. The 6th Avenue Business District invites everyone to come out to enjoy art, music, food, life-size Tacom-opoly, and more.
  
• The grand re-opening ceremony for Titlow Park is also this Sunday, July 14, from noon to 3 pm. The public is invited to come out to celebrate the renovated lodge, new spray park and playground, and other improvements to the park.

Councilmember Lonergan had a couple announcements.

• The community clean-up this Saturday will be at Mt Tahoma High School from 10 am to 1:45 pm.
  
• Lonergan also recognized Lewis Kamb from the TNT, thanking him for his service reporting on the City of Tacoma.

Mayor Strickland followed up with best wishes to Kamb in Seattle.

Councilmember Mello reminded us that Tacoma Pride starts at 4:30 pm this Friday, July 12, with an official ceremony raising the pride flag over the Tacoma Municipal Building, and presentation of Rainbow Awards. Mello invited all Tacomans to enjoy the events, including Saturday’s street fair - you don’t have to be gay or lesbian, and the fair will be family-friendly.

ADJOURNMENT