Tacoma City Council Meeting - June 12, 2012

If there’s one thing that we learned this week, it’s that we should use the word “telephonically” in conversation much more often.

Councilmember Mello participated “telephonically,” per a requested exception.

CONSENT AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 38495 Sets Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at approximately 5:30 p.m., as the date for a public hearing by the City Council on the proposed amendments to the Land Use Regulatory Code regarding medical cannabis collective gardens and dispensaries, as recommended by the Planning Commission. [Lucas Shadduck, Senior Planner; Martha Anderson, Interim Director, Community and Economic Development]

Resolution No. 38496 Accepts Federal Highway Administration grant funding, in the amount of $978,300, and 2012 Jobs Now Act grant funding, in the amount of $3,000,000, for a cumulative total of $3,978,300; depositing said sum into the Streets Special Revenue Fund for the Pacific Avenue Streetscape project; and authorizing the execution of the necessary documents with the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Washington State Department of Commerce Public Works Board for the administration of said funds. [Sue O’Neill, Assistant Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works]

This should mean that the Pacific Avenue Streetscape project is now funded and ready to go to bid.

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Strickland proclaimed June 23, 2012 as Ready Set Go 5210 day in the City of Tacoma.

PUBLIC COMMENT
The only public comment at this week’s meeting came from representatives of the building industry, speaking in favor of Resolution No. 38499, which would temporarily raise the thresholds at which residential and parking projects trigger environmental review. We heard that the changes would simplify processes, encourage development, “unclog” and streamline permitting processes. We also heard the phrase “regulatory obsolescence” used to describe SEPA rules passed in the 1970s.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Purchase Resolution No. 38497 Awards contracts to:

 
1. Right! Systems, Inc., on its bid of $392,452.48, including sales tax, less a trade-in value of equipment in the amount of $43,077.70, for a contract total of $349,374.78, budgeted from the 2010 LTGO Bond D Fund, for the replacement of fiber optic equipment used in the General Government radio system – Specification No. IT12-0200F [Steve Taylor, Networks and Communications Manager; Michelle Lewis-Hodges, Director, Information Technology];

 
2. PCL Construction Services, Inc., in the amount of $4,015,962.00, including sales tax, budgeted from the Streets Special Revenue Fund, for a cumulative contract total of $53,229,462.00, to increase the contract for additional work on the Murray Morgan Bridge Rehabilitation Design-Build Project – Specification No. PW10-0128F [Chris Larson, Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works]; and

 
3. Reid Middleton, Inc., in the amount of $88,102.00, sales tax not applicable, budgeted from the 2009 LTGO Bond B and E Funds, for a cumulative total of $437,992.00, to increase the contract for additional design services to replace the existing Old Town Dock restroom facility – Specification No. PW10-0510F [Chris Larson, Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works].

A move to remove item three from the agenda per staff request. The purchase resolution (minus #3) passed without comment.

Resolution No. 38498 Authorizes the execution of a two-year commercial lease agreement with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, for approximately 250-square-feet of office space located in the Tacoma Municipal Building, at a base rate of $423 per month, beginning June 15, 2012. [Conor McCarthy, Assistant Facilities Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works]

The PSAA has recently added a staff position to work with the Tacoma area on “non-attainment” issues, and so is in need of local office space. The two year lease would put the PSAA in the municipal building on the 15th floor at $18 per square foot, plus phone service costs. Councilmember Boe requested information on whether there might be additional space available in the building, should another appropriate tenant be interested. Staff will get back to him with those figures.

Resolution No. 38499 Directs the use of the highest levels of categorical exemptions under the State Environmental Policy Act to raise the maximum thresholds for dwelling units and parking spaces. [Ian Munce, Long Range Planning Division Manager; Martha Anderson, Interim Director, Community and Economic Development]

This change would set temporary thresholds at which construction on residential and parking projects triggers environmental review while the City explores new permanent levels in line with state-level SEPA changes. A major state-level rewrite of SEPA regulations, passed in 1971, means that local governments now have the opportunity to revisit their own regulations on the topic. While state level issues are being worked out, City officials have been given the authority to use the higher thresholds, unless Council directs them not to. Meanwhile there will be a city-level study, which will result in more permanent changes. In addition, the SEPA review processes are not the only ones governing new developments.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28076 Amends the Comprehensive Plan by incorporating Affordable Housing Policy Principles; updating housing needs assessment data; reprioritizing bicycle, sidewalk, and intersection improvement projects; updating the Unfunded Transportation Project List; and removing an outdated map and text related to Habitat Zones. [Lihuang Wung, Senior Planner; Martha Anderson, Interim Director, Community and Economic Development]

Ordinance No. 28077 Amends Title 13 of the Municipal Code, entitled “Land Use Regulatory Code”, to improve the effectiveness and clarity of land use regulations relating to reasonable accommodation, development regulation agreements, drive-throughs, parking requirements, non-conforming buildings and uses, pre-existing conditional uses, and sign regulations; and to address inconsistencies and correct minor errors. [Lihuang Wung, Senior Planner; Martha Anderson, Interim Director, Community and Economic Development]

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28078 Amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to provide for a wage increase of 3.3 percent for employees represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, which covers 20 budgeted, full-time positions, effective July 1, 2012. [Mike Brock, Labor Negotiator; Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources]

This ordinance would authorize an automatic increase for 20 BLE employees, which comes in conjunction with their national contract. The funds would come from Tacoma Rail, a part of TPU, and not the general fund budget.

Ordinance No. 28079 Amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to provide for a wage increase of 2.5 percent for employees represented by the United Transportation Union, Switch Crew Unit, which covers 28 budgeted, full-time positions, effective July 1, 2012. [Mike Brock, Labor Negotiator; Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources]

Again this increase is consistent with a national contract; again the funds come from TPU, not the general fund.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

CITIZENS’ FORUM
The only Citizens’ Forum comment this week was regarding changes that will come with the end of the medical cannabis moratorium this August. Mayor Strickland directed him to speak to staff regarding upcoming public hearing information. A public hearing on Planning Commission recommendations on zoning areas for commercial medical cannabis uses will be held on June 26, 2012.

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER
None.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Councilmember Boe noted that he was pleasantly surprised to see 9th street nearly free of barricades. If you’ve been avoiding that area of downtown because of the construction, it’s safe to come back. Until the next project starts…

Councilmember Lonergan commented on the grand opening of the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery where he represented the City. The hatchery is now open to the public, and he encourages you to take the trip down and learn about what Tacoma Power is doing to help the salmon. Lonergan also noted that this Saturday, June 16 at 10:00 a.m. is the grand opening of the Tacoma Youth Marine Center.

Councilmember Ibsen mentioned the availability of Tacoma’s new online construction projects tracking page.

Councilmember Walker mentioned Paint Tacoma Beautiful, which will be taking place in July and August. More information available at www.paintbeautiful.com.

And last, but not least, Mayor Strickland mentioned an upcoming Tacoma Means Business – entrepreneur networking event around Tacoma’s cyber-security businesses at the Hotel Murano Monday, June 18 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

Well, with very little public comment, that went faster than we expected.