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May 23, 2012 · Derek

Tacoma City Council Meeting - May 22, 2012

This week’s meeting just flew by.  The bulk of the agenda was under the consent agenda, and the public hearing for annual amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code drew fewer comments than we might have expected. 

CONSENT AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 38490 Authorizes the submittal of a grant application to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office, in the amount of $500,000, to acquire open space property within the South Tacoma Wetlands Conservation Area, located in the vicinity of South 52nd and Mullen Streets, for conservation purposes. [Elliott Barnett, Associate Planner; Ryan Petty, Director, Community and Economic Development]

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28072 Vacating the west 20 feet of the Court G right-of-way, between South 25th and South 27th Streets, for general use and surface parking associated with the redevelopment of the adjacent housing project, Hillside Terrace.  (Tacoma Housing Authority; File No. 124.1331) [Troy Stevens, Senior Real Estate Specialist; Phyllis Macleod, Hearing Examiner]
This ordinance will be held over for a final reading at a date to be determined.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28073 (First and Final Reading) Providing for the formation of Local Improvement District No. 8654 for the construction of permanent pavement with the installation of storm drain lines and stormwater catch basins, where needed, at the following locations: 

  • Alley between North 11th and North 12th Streets from Adams to Proctor Streets;
  • Alley between North 10th and North 11th Streets from Cheyenne to Mullen Streets;
  • Alley between Shirley and Winnifred Streets from North 14th to North 18th Streets; and
  • Alley between North 29th and North 30th Streets from Pine to Junett Streets, and Pine Street from North 29th Street north to the alley.

[Ralph Rodriguez, L.I.D. Administrator; Phyllis Macleod, Hearing Examiner]

Ordinance No. 28074 (First and Final Reading) Providing for the formation of Local Improvement District No. 8655 for the construction of permanent pavement with the installation of concrete curbs and gutters, storm drain lines, and stormwater catch basins, where needed, at the following locations:

  • Defiance Street from North 49th to North 50th Streets; and
  • East 61st Street from East K to East L Streets.

[Ralph Rodriguez, L.I.D. Administrator; Phyllis Macleod, Hearing Examiner]

Ordinance No. 28075 (First and Final Reading) Providing for the formation of Local Improvement District No. 8659 for the construction of permanent pavement with the installation of storm drain lines and stormwater catch basins, where needed, at the following locations: 

  • Alley between Steele and Prospect Streets from South 8th to South 10th Streets;
  • Alley between I and J Streets from South 25th Street south to the top of the slope;
  • Alley between Tyler Street and Mason Avenue from South 36th Street south to the dead end;
  • Alley between Pacific Avenue and D Street from South 40th to South 43rd Streets;  and a two-inch asphalt surface treatment on:
  • 27th Street Northeast from 57th Avenue Northeast to 58th Avenue Northeast.

[Ralph Rodriguez, L.I.D. Administrator; Phyllis Macleod, Hearing Examiner]

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Strickland proclaims May 2012 to be bike Month, and the week of May 20 through 26, 2012 to be Public Works Week in the City of Tacoma. 

Go forth, ride your bikes and thank a Public Works employee.

PUBLIC COMMENT
None this week.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Purchase Resolution No. 38491 Awards a contract to: Midvale Electric, Inc., in the amount of $192,450, plus sales tax, budgeted from the Tacoma Rail Mountain Division Fund, for a cumulative total of $853,380, to increase and extend the contract for continued federally-mandated grade crossing system signal inspections and maintenance through June 30, 2013 –  Specification No. TR10-0129F. [Alan Matheson, Roadmaster; Dale King, Superintendent, Tacoma Rail]
Federal regulations mandate that the flashing red lights at crossings be inspected on a monthly basis.  The funds for this purchase resolution come from current operating revenues, and will not need to be pulled from the general fund.

PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPEALS
This was the date set for a public hearing by the City Council on proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulatory Code for the year 2012, as recommended by the Planning Commission. [Lihuang Wung, Senior Planner; Ryan Petty, Director, Community and Economic Development]

Changes to the Plan and the Code are proposed on an annual basis to keep them in compliance with requirements at the federal, state, and regional levels, and to make sure that local projects are included.  Three elements of the Comprehensive Plan are addressed in this year’s amendments (housing, transportation, and environmental requirements), along with changes to the Land Use Regulatory Code.  Read more about the proposed 2012 Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulatory Code amendments from Exit133.

Two speakers made comments in support of changes regarding the bike and pedestrian reprioritization changes.  A third speaker thanked the Planning Commission for its hard work, and voiced appreciation of the addition of projects to the unfunded projects list.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER
City Manager Broadnax thanked out-going Community and Economic Development Director Ryan Petty for his years of service and wished him the best for his future.  Mayor Strickland echoed his thanks, and Petty said some nice things about Tacoma. 

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Public Safety, Human Services, and Education Committee – Councilmember Woodards
provided an update on the work of the Committee, including the Fire Station No. 5 project, the program implementation plan for the chemical dependency and mental health sales tax, the renewal of funding for Youthbuild Tacoma, and current work relating to summer youth programs.

Councilmember Boe did not disappoint, with an update on Bike Month.  For those of you keeping score, he is at 73.4% of commutes to work are via bike for the month of May, and Councilmember Woodards joined him for a ride to work, making three out of nine council members who have participated in the bike to work challenge.  There are still more Bike Month events coming up, including:

Councilmember Lonergan reported on the Community Economic Revitalization Board meeting he attended, including Tacoma being selected for a $50,000 grant towards the completion of the North Downtown Sub-area Plan and EIS.

Councilmember Campbell reminded us of the upcoming LeMay America’s Car Museum grand opening on June 2, 2012, noting that tickets are now available online. 

Councilmember Woodards spoke about last Thursday’s VIP kick-off officially opening the new STAR Center in South Tacoma, and reminded all Tacomans that now it’s up to us to take full advantage of the community resources available there.

Mayor Strickland reminded us that there will be no City Council study session or meeting next week due to the Memorial Day holiday. 

Councilmember Walker was absent from this week’s meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

So, there you have it.  No meeting next week, so you’ll have to get your fix of high-stakes thrills elsewhere, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed for some real action on the June 6 meeting. 

Filed under: City Council, Legislation, City Government