Tacoma City Council Meeting - June 5, 2012

The real action in City of Tacoma news this week took place in yesterday’s study session. Last night’s City Council meeting had a fairly light agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 38492 Authorizes the execution of an interagency grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Office of Financial Management, in the amount of $100,000, to install railroad track and switches on Tacoma Rail Mountain Division property located in Frederickson to facilitate the provision of rail service to Carlisle Construction Materials. [Michael Klass, Marketing Manager; Dale King, Superintendent, Tacoma Rail]

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Woodards read the proclamation, received by Ms. Alexandria Henderson, Miss Pierce County 2012, declaring June 2012 to be Gotta Have Heart 30 for 30 Month in the City of Tacoma, and encouraged all Tacomans to take the challenge of walking 30 minutes each of the 30 days of June to improve our overall heart health.

Mayor Strickland proclaimed Saturday, June 9, 2012 as Roman Meal Sound to Narrows Day in the City of Tacoma. And we learned that the annual Sound to Narrows is the oldest continually run 12k in Washington. Who knew?

PUBLIC COMMENT
None.

REGULAR AGENDA

APPOINTMENTS

Resolution No. 38493 Appoints John Wallace to serve on the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees for a term to expire June 5, 2017. [Cindy DeGrosse, Executive Secretary; Mayor Marilyn Strickland]

RESOLUTIONS

Purchase Resolution No. 38494 Awards contracts to:

1. Spaans Babcock Inc., on its bid of $424,000.00, plus sales tax, budgeted from the Surface Water Fund, for four open flight Archimedes screw pumps with self-supporting troughs for the Flett Creek Surface Water Pump Station – Specification No. PW12-0149F [John O’Loughlin, Science and Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works];
2. Northwest Cascade, Inc., in the amount of $45,000.00, excluding sales tax, budgeted from the Wastewater Fund, for a cumulative total of $271,628.60, to increase the contract for additional work necessary to complete the 2011 (B) Wastewater Spot Repair Project – Specification No. PW11-0547F [John O’Loughlin, Science and Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works];
3. Pape & Sons Construction, Inc., in the amount of $90,000.00, excluding sales tax, budgeted from the Wastewater Fund, for a cumulative total of $714,418.73, to increase the contract for additional work necessary to complete the 2011 Wastewater Main Replacements and Extensions Project – Specification No. PW11-0082F [John O’Loughlin, Science and Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works]; and
4. Pease Construction, Inc., in the amount of $180,000.00, including sales tax, budgeted from the Wastewater and Surface Water Funds, for a cumulative total of $3,196,499.76, to increase the contract for additional work for the Eductor Decant Facility – Specification No. PW10-0333F [John O’Loughlin, Science and Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works].

FIRST 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]
The Comprehensive Plan is the City’s official statement governing growth going forward. The annual amendment process keeps the document current.

Ordinance No. 28077 Amending 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]
This is the companion to the previous ordinance, and includes components that must be kept consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER
City Manager Broadnax invited the public to attend one of the four open house meetings on the numerous construction projects planned for this summer. Staff will be on hand at those open houses next Wednesday and Thursday to discuss both the two large-scale projects – the Stadium Way upgrades and Pacific Avenue Streetscape work – and the numerous smaller utility projects planned.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Councilmember Boe reported on Economic Development Committee meetings, which included discussions around the Port of Tacoma’s new Strategic Plan, a presentation on expectations for the upcoming US Open’s economic impact, and on-going conversation around economic development strategy framework.

Councilmember Walker reported that she attended the opening of the South Tacoma Farmers’ Market in its new location for 2012, and encouraged everyone to visit the market, which will be at the new STAR Center every Sunday this summer.

Councilmember Boe delivered his final Bike Month report for 2012, thanking everyone for participating, including his fellow council members who made at least one bike commute during the month.

Councilmember Campbell reminded us that neighborhood clean-ups continue. This weekend’s will be June 9th: Lincoln West, Jennie Reed, Lincoln LAWGS, East Abes, Lincoln South and Four Star at Jennie Reed Elementary and Lincoln High School.

Mayor Strickland reviewed the LeMay opening with long lines of people excited for the new museum to finally open.

ADJOURNMENT

So, not much excitement here. Councilmember Fey was absent; he didn’t miss too much. This week’s study session had all the thrills, but stay tuned for more fun next week.