Tacoma City Council Meeting - October 23, 2012

CONSENT AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 38557 Setting Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at approximately 5:30 p.m., as the date for a public hearing by the City Council to set the proposed Ad Valorem tax levies for General Property taxes and the other General Fund revenues. [Steve Call, Interim Director, Finance]

PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

The American Public Works Association presented five Tacoma employees with a pin, acknowledging them at the highest level of training at the Donald C Stone Center.  Tacoma has more than 60 employees in the program – more than most other cities, with seven overall acknowledged at the top level.

PUBLIC COMMENT
None.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Purchase Resolution No. 38558 Awarding contracts to:

1. Braun Northwest, Inc., in the amount of $295,903.00, plus sales tax, budgeted from the Fleet Equipment Rental Capital Outlay Fund, for a cumulative total of $1,134,184.00, to increase the contract to purchase two additional Type III Ambulance Medic emergency transport vehicles –  Specification No. FD10-0248F [Michael Newhouse, Medical Services Officer; James Duggan, Chief, Tacoma Fire Department];
2. Western Industrial, Inc., on its bid of $295,333.00, plus sales tax, budgeted from the Wastewater Fund, for painting the Wastewater Digester #5 Cover at the Central Treatment Plant – Specification No. PW12-0449F [Kenneth Tross, Sewer Maintenance Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works]; and
3. BNSF Railway Company, in the amount of $79,828.00, sales tax not applicable, budgeted from the Streets Special Revenue Fund, for a cumulative total of $250,000.00, to increase the contract for flagging and inspection services provided by BNSF on the Murray Morgan Bridge Rehabilitation Project – Direct Negotiation Contract No. 4600007465 [Chris Larson, Engineering Division Manager; Dick McKinley, Director, Public Works].

Passed without comment.

Resolution No. 38559 Amending and adopting the Legislative Policy Manual of the City of Tacoma for the upcoming sessions of the United States Congress and the Washington State Legislature for the years 2013 and 2014. [Randall Lewis, Government Relations Officer; T.C. Broadnax, City Manager]

The Legislative Policy Manual does not represent the full legislative agenda of the City, but the foundational policies which inform the City’s positions in the legislative session.  A more specific legislative agenda will be presented to Council in December.

Resolution No. 38560 Authorizing the execution of an agreement with Gordon Thomas Honeywell Government Affairs, LLC, in the amount of $163,680, budgeted from the General Fund, for legislative lobbying services for the Washington State Legislature for the years 2013 and 2014. [Randall Lewis, Government Relations Officer; T.C. Broadnax, City Manager]

Every two years the City hires a firm to represent them.  This term will begin with the new session in January, at a 2% increase in 2014 over the previous contract.

Resolution No. 38561 Authorizing the execution of an agreement with Simon and Company Incorporated, in the amount of $155,239, budgeted from the General Fund, for legislative lobbying services for the United States Congress for the years 2013 and 2014. [Randall Lewis, Government Relations Officer; T.C. Broadnax, City Manager]

_Again, every other year the City hires for lobbying services for the next biennial session.  This contract is also a 2% increase in 2014. 

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28094 Amending the 2011-2012 Biennial Budget to include an additional appropriation of $6,200,000, for a total biennial appropriation of $46,638,786, to the Department of Public Utilities, Rail Division, to allow Tacoma Rail to meet its anticipated operating requirements through the end of 2012; and declaring an emergency making necessary the passage of this ordinance and its taking effect immediately upon publication. [Dale King, Tacoma Rail Superintendent; Bill Gaines, Director of Public Utilities]

This year Tacoma Rail experienced growth and new opportunities beyond what was anticipated, and along with that growth and opportunity came costs.  The good news is that although expenses are expected to be over budget, so are revenues, so Tacoma Rail needs permission to amend its budget. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.

REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER
None.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Neighborhoods and Housing Committee – Councilmember Walker reported on the work of the committee, including

• Giving a “do pass” to expanding the alcohol impact area to the West End of Tacoma.  The proposed expansion would prohibit the sale of fortified beer and wine, restrict hours of sale for alcohol, and restrict container size.
• Receiving an update on the inventory of shelter housing in Tacoma.
• A grant from the State Attorney General’s office to carry out the revitalization of foreclosed and vacant homes, with the goal of placing new homeowners in 80 of those homes around Tacoma.
• Receiving updates on other topics, including the Pierce County Conservation District Community Garden program, Puget Sound Regional Council’s Growing Transit Communities program, and Community Based Services past successes and future plans.
• Topics at the next meeting will include changes to the minimum building and construction code, provisional license code changes, and rental license code changes.

Councilmember Ibsen offered a reminder that the District 1 community budget input meeting is this Wednesday, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wheelock Library in Proctor.

Councilmember Boe reminded us that Stadium Way is closed, with detours in place that will take you up Commerce to 9th, but there are other ways to get to the Stadium District, so think about trying a new route to ease congestion on 9th.

Councilmember Walker gave a reminder that the District 5 budget meeting will be held next Monday, October 29, at the main library downtown.  Walker also announced that the second annual Affordable Housing Consortium Annual Excellence in Affordable Housing Awards Celebration would be held Wednesday, October 24 at 5:00 p.m. at Annie Wright.

Deputy Mayor Lonergan encouraged all Tacomans, even if you can’t make the budget meeting in your district, to put one of the meetings on your calendar. 

Councilmember Campbell announced that the public budget input session for his district will be November 1 at Lincoln High School at 6:00 p.m.  The last one was well attended and colorful, and he looks forward to seeing you all there.  Campbell also mentioned that a budget video is available on the City website, and that if you have any questions relating to the budget you should feel free to email a council member.

ADJOURNMENT