Tacoma City Council Meeting - May 5, 2015

CONSENT AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 39182 A resolution accepting a donation of approximately 567 acres owned by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to Tacoma Power for conservation purposes at the Nisqually Hydroelectric Project at Alder Lake.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 27999 An ordinance vacating a 40- to 65-foot-wide portion of Ruston Way lying northwest of North 49th Street for the development of Point Ruston.

The consent agenda, including a substitute ordinance adding legal description of the vacated property, was adopted.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

May 2015 was proclaimed as Preservation Month and as Bike Month in the City of Tacoma.

PUBLIC COMMENT

The majority of public comment this evening was on the resolution added to the agenda earlier in the day creating a task force on the minimum wage in Tacoma. Most of it was negative. We heard from representatives of 15 Now Tacoma, as well as the faith community and a couple of City Council candidates speaking against the formation of the task force. Several complained of the last minute nature of the resolution, which many described as going against the will of the people. Several speakers drew a distinction between the people of Tacoma, and its business owners, some dismissing the failure of any businesses after the passing of a $15 minimum wage as collateral damage.

A few speakers took a different position on the issue, thanking the council for creating a task force to further explore the idea of increasing the minimum wage in Tacoma. As you would expect, Tom Pierson, Chamber president, said that the Chamber and its members look forward to exploring a Tacoma-specific solution. The Chamber concedes that a minimum wage hike is likely in Tacoma’s future, but Pierson said that he didn’t think it needed to be as divisive as the current proposal is. A couple of other speakers generally in favor of the increase to $15 spoke to say they supported a balanced implementation approach, taking into consideration business owners as well as workers. One in particular mentioned the specific constraints on nonprofits locked into annual budgets largely controlled by grant funding.

One commenter made the point that if the task force is going to have any validity, the council will need to be very thoughtful in who is appointed to it.

One speaker didn’t have a comment on the minimum wage task force. Speaking on behalf of the Tacoma Wheelman’s Bicycle Club, he thanked the council for proclaiming Bike Month in the month of May, and for considering the needs of non-motorized transportation users by continuing to support Tacoma Mobility.

REGULAR AGENDA

PURCHASE RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 39183 A resolution awarding a contract to Best Parking Lot Cleaning, Inc., in the amount of $105,014, plus sales tax, budgeted from the Solid Waste Fund, to provide vactor truck and cleaning services at the Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center, for an initial two-year period, with the option to renew for three additional one-year periods, for a projected contract total of $262,535.

Resolution No. 39184 A resolution awarding a contract to Clyde/West, Inc., in the amount of $221,806, plus sales tax, budgeted from the Solid Waste Fund, for one street sweeper for the Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center - Washington State Contract No. 02613.

Resolution No. 39185 A resolution awarding a contract to Tucci & Sons, Inc., in the amount of $2,722,172.10, plus a 13 percent contingency, for a cumulative total of $3,076,054.48, sales tax not applicable, budgeted from the Transportation Capital Fund, for the construction of South Tacoma Way corridor improvements from South 43rd Street to South 47th Street and from South 56th Street to South 66th Street.

All three purchase resolutions were adopted without comment.

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 39186 A resolution authorizing the submittal of the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan and 2015-2016 Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by the deadline of May 15, 2015; authorizing the execution of two agreements with the Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority to fund housing development programs; and authorizing a subrecipient agreement under the HOME Program between the City of Tacoma, City of Lakewood, and Tacoma Redevelopment Authority, to administer the HOME Program.

The Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan are the culmination of a multi-month process of budgeting, including public comment processes.

Resolution No. 39187 A resolution establishing a 13-member task force, to be known as the Tacoma Minimum Wage Task Force, for the purpose of reviewing minimum wage alternatives in Tacoma, and submitting recommendations to the City Council by June 30, 2015.

This resolution, a late addition to the agenda, establishes the task force, which will be appointed by the council – one member by each council member, with the balance to be appointed by the mayor.

Mayor Strickland described Tacoma’s economy as different from Seattle’s and Seatac’s. Councilmember Campbell brought up a few interesting points around enforcement, suggesting that it be connected to the process set up recently for paid leave. Campbell also pointed out a lack of subtlety around the $300,000 cutoff that could put businesses in a tough spot, and the detail that enforcement, as written, would expand police powers in cases of non-compliance, possibly sending small business owners to jail. Councilmember Lonergan said that he wants to be clear on what this resolution is, and what it is not – it does form a group to take a closer look to see if there is a better solution for Tacoma – it does not develop any kind of binding legislation without a vote. 

We heard from the council that they will be looking for a proposal that is fair, applied across the board, and lacking in loopholes.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28298 An ordinance amending the 2015-2016 Biennial Budget to appropriate funds from the 2013-2014 Biennial Budget to cover current contract obligations, transfers, and other budget adjustments.

The ordinance was adopted without comment.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER

City Manager Broadnax announced that the City of Tacoma will be teaming up with other organizations in the area to celebrate Puget Sound Starts Here Month, with activities to help residents experience the benefits of living on the Puget Sound, and to take actions to protect it.

Broadnax also announced Public Service Recognition week, honoring public servants who work hard on behalf of the citizens to keep our nation and cities working.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Neighborhoods and Housing Committee - Councilmember Walker shared recent topics addressed by the committee.

• Heard an update on garage sale policies and procedures
• Heard an update on the Narrowmoor conservation district proposal for the West Slope neighborhood
• Discussed the proposal to rename 1955 through 2101 dock street to George H Weyerhaeuser Jr Park in recognition of his civic leadership and significant contributions to Tacoma

At its next meeting the committee will discuss a Department of Corrections Memorandum of Understanding and mental health positive outcomes business outreach program.

Deputy Mayor Boe shared a list of upcoming events for Bike Month and Historic Preservation Month, as well as a list of arts events for the week.

Councilmember Lonergan shared that he had represented Tacoma for National Drinking Water Week at the Green River headway.

Councilmember Campbell announced the community cleanup coming up over the weekend in his district.

ADJOURNMENT

For more on the items on this week’s agenda, see our City Business Preview.