Tacoma City Council Meeting - October 2, 2012

After this week’s information-packed (if not action-packed) study session, the City Council meeting was quick and relatively painless.  Mayor Strickland absent this week, so Deputy Mayor Lonergan filled in.

CONSENT AGENDA

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28090 (First and Final Reading) Approving and confirming the Assessment Roll for LID No. 3964 for the construction of a sanitary sewer on South Adams Street, extending north from South 23rd Street approximately 990 feet; and providing for the disposition of the moneys collected upon said assessment. [Ralph Rodriguez, L.I.D. Administrator; Phyllis Macleod, Hearing Examiner]

Approved without further comment.

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Deputy Mayor Lonergan made two proclamations in Mayor Strickland’s absence:

• In honor of Workforce Central’s 30 years of service to the Tacoma and Pierce County area, October 2012 is proclaimed as Workforce Central Month in the City of Tacoma.
• In recognition of the commitment of the City of Tacoma to ending domestic violence and of the work of the many organizations and individuals that have come together to stand against domestic violence in our community, October 2012 was also proclaimed as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Tacoma.

PUBLIC COMMENT
No comment this week.

Purchase Resolution No. 38545 Awarding contracts to:

1. Ceccanti, Inc., on its bid of $494,840.00, plus sales tax, plus a 10 percent contingency, for a cumulative total of $544,324.00, budgeted from the Wastewater Fund, for upgrades to Hylebos View and Vista View Pump Stations – Specification No. PW12-0032F; [John O’Loughlin, Science and Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works]
2. e-Builder, Inc., in the amount of $895,000.00, plus sales tax, budgeted from the Wastewater and Surface Water Funds, to host and maintain project management software services for Public Works capital improvement projects for an initial five-year term, with the option to renew for three additional one-year periods, for a cumulative total of $1,339,000.00 –  Specification No. PW11-0794F; [John O’Loughlin, Science and Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works]
3. Jones & Roberts Company, on its bid of $429,000.00, plus sales tax, plus a 20 percent contingency, for a cumulative total of $514,800.00, funded by the City’s Insurance Policy, for the 2308 South Holgate Roof Collapse Repair Project – Specification No. PW12-0345F; [Jeff Jenkins, Facilities Management Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works]
4. Cascade Sierra Solutions, in the amount of $1,165,000.00, sales tax not applicable, budgeted from the Streets Special Revenue Fund with federal and state grants, for a cumulative total of $2,865,000.00, to increase the contract to reimburse Cascade Sierra Solutions for vehicle scrapping and clean truck fees paid to program participants – Specification No. PW11-0265F; [Chris Larson, Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works] and
5. Milliman, Inc., in the amount of $99,000.00, sales tax not applicable, budgeted from Tacoma Employees’ Retirement System Operations and Administrations, for a cumulative total of $790,000.00, to increase and extend the contract for additional services and special projects, including an annual Actuarial Valuation through December 31, 2014 – Specification No. RE09-0384F. [Monica Butler, Director, Retirement]

Item number 4 drew a few comments from Council.  The program, implemented by the City, is fully grant funded, with the goal of improving air quality in the area by decreasing diesel emissions, which are listed as the second largest contributor to poor air quality in the area.  Although the program predates the recent finding of non-attainment of clean air standards, it directly contributes to Tacoma’s plan to address the problem.  The goal of the program is to remove 150 older diesel trucks from the road, replacing them with newer, cleaner models.  Councilmember Boe recused himself from the vote due to potential appearance of conflict with item 3.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28091 Amending Chapter 1.30 of the Municipal Code, relating to retirement and pensions, to clarify the definition of beneficiary and provide direction for the distribution of assets upon the death of an active member of the Tacoma Employees’ Retirement System. [Monica Butler, Director, Retirement]

Both this and the following ordinance are described as mainly administrative and minor changes, with no financial impact to the City.  This ordinance clarifies the process for disbursement of benefits when a member of the retirement system who is not retired dies.

Ordinance No. 28092 Amending Chapter 1.30 of the Municipal Code, relating to retirement and pensions, to comply with the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act and to reduce the number of signatures required to run for the “retired member” position on the Tacoma Employees’ Retirement System, Board of Administration, from twenty to five. [Monica Butler, Director, Retirement]

This ordinance addresses a couple changes.  One brings the treatment of pay disbursed when a member of the system dies while in service into alignment with IRS requirements.  The second addresses the requirement for retired members wishing to serve on the TERS board, lowering the threshold for qualified applicants.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER
None.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Environment and Public Works Committee – Councilmember Mello reported on topics brought before the Committee:

• Link alternatives analysis – the committee heard a presentation on possible expansion of Tacoma’s Link light rail, including information on public input opportunities and the Link alternatives analysis of the various options.
• Prairie Line trail – public input has been taken on pedestrian and bicycle crossing options at 21st Street, the issue will come back to the committee in November with more information on each of the three alternatives.
• Street treatments – the committee heard a presentation on the use of asphalt and concrete, and how they’re used to get the best performance for lowest cost on Tacoma streets.
• The committee also heard briefings on other topica including the six year transportation plan, every other week garbage pick-up, active transportation options, and more.
• At the next meeting the committee will receive information on the extension of 167 in Tacoma, and every other week garbage pick-up, among other topics.

Councilmember Woodards reminded us of the launch party for the Sounder extension south to Lakewood this weekend.  There will be free rides, live music from Mariachi Mexico, a kid zone with face painting and other activities at the new South Tacoma station.

Councilmember Ibsen mentioned the Westslope Neighborhood Coalition’s Oktoberfest this Sunday, October 7.  There’s going to be German beer and wine, along with other beverages, pumpkin painting, door prizes, and of course bratwurst with sauerkraut.  Sounds fun – we’re kind of wishing we were a part of the West Slope Neighborhood Coalition.

Councilmember Walker commented on all the things we have to be grateful for, even in tough times, including the Moon Festival, neighbors sharing vegetables, free popcorn day at Fawcett Elementary, and coming up soon, Art at Work Month.

Councilmember Campbell reported that he represented the Council at the ribbon cutting for the NW furniture bank.  He also commented on the City Manager’s presentation of his budget recommendations at study session, noting that community outreach has been a key part of the process from the beginning, and will continue to be, with more input sessions, including a November 1 meeting at Lincoln High School.

Councilmember Lonergan seconded Campbell’s statements about the budget, reminding us that we can find more information on the City website.  Lonergan also mentioned that he represented Tacoma in our sister city, Fuzhou China last week.

ADJOURNMENT

Well, there you have it.  If you’re looking for a little more conversation, next week’s meeting is shaping up to have a few more comments.  Not only will it be Citizens’ Forum week, but there are a couple resolutions on the pending agenda that are sure to draw a comment or two.  Stay tuned…