Exit133

October 1, 2014 · Exit133

Tacoma City Council Meeting - September 30, 2014

CONSENT AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 39015 A resolution setting Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at approximately 5:30 p.m., as the date for a public hearing by the City Council on the surplus and proposed conveyance of approximately 3.2 acres of property located on Hood Canal in Mason County to the Skokomish Tribe in exchange for perpetual hatchery rights. [Gloria Fletcher, Senior Real Estate Officer; Ted Coates, Power Superintendent]

Resolution No. 39016 A resolution setting Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at approximately 5:30 p.m., as the date for a public hearing by the City Council on the surplus and negotiated sale of approximately 20 acres of real property located in the Green River Watershed to the United States of America, Army Corp of Engineers, for $142,300. [Gloria Fletcher, Senior Real Estate Officer; Linda McCrea, Water Superintendent]

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28224 An ordinance vacating a portion of the South Adams Street right-of-way north of previously vacated South 62nd Street for use in connection with an adjacent business. (HG Holdings, LLC; File No. 124.1340) [Rich Price, Real Estate Specialist; Kurtis D. Kingsolver, P.E., Director, Public Works]

The consent agenda was adopted without comment.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

October 2014 was proclaimed Tacoma Arts Month in the City of Tacoma. Tacoma Arts Month will be a celebration of Tacoma’s arts and cultural assets, and the capacity of those assets to improve livability in the city, bring people together, and act as a catalyst for development. All Tacoma residents, workers, and visitors are encouraged to participate in the many events scheduled all month long, including the free Tacoma Arts Month opening event this Thursday, October 2, at the Post Office building downtown. View a calendar of Tacoma Arts Month events at exit133.com/arts.

October 2014 was also proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Tacoma. With this proclamation, and with the new COURAGE Initiative and other programs, the City recognizes domestic violence not as a private family matter, but a crime with serious consequences not only for the individuals and families directly involved but for the community as a whole. As a part of the new initiative, the City is encouraging everyone in the community to take a stand together to say that domestic violence is not acceptable behavior. The City will be launching a Men in Leadership campaign, and encouraging everyone to take the Courage P.E.A.C.E. pledge. Everyone is invited to the Breaking the Cycle Rally this Friday at noon in Tollefson Plaza.

PUBLIC COMMENT

The majority of public comment this week was again focused on concerns around the extension of interim land-use regulations on recreational marijuana businesses, with a particular emphasis on the 6th Avenue area. A couple speakers voiced concerns about regulation of marijuana businesses going against the will of the voters and free market principles. The majority of comment, however, came from residents and business owners, mostly from the 6th Ave district, expressing their concerns with the impacts of marijuana businesses on their neighborhood, particularly in conjunction with the already established bar scene. We heard concerns that marijuana retail doesn’t belong in a neighborhood setting, that these businesses shouldn’t be located so close to so many alcohol serving establishments, and a general concern about the clustering of the businesses.

The other main topic of discussion, not surprisingly, was the new set of regulations on for-hire transportation services in Tacoma. Overall we heard positive things about the process and the regulations ultimately produced, including those around wheelchair accessible vehicles. We did hear some lingering concerns over insurance and safety requirements. One speaker made what sounds like a good recommendation that the impacts of the new regulations be revisited after a year or two of operation to see how they’re working out.

REGULAR AGENDA

PURCHASE RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 39017 A resolution awarding a contract to Quigg Bros., Inc., in the amount of $9,145,816.50, plus sales tax, plus a 15 percent contingency, for a cumulative total of $10,517,688.98, budgeted from the Transportation Capital Fund, for the reconstruction of the Tacoma Avenue South Bridge - Specification No. PW14-0076F. [Chris E. Larson, P.E., Division Manager; Kurtis D. Kingsolver, P.E., Director, Public Works]

In order to avoid the potential for the appearance of a conflict of interest, Councilmember Boe recused himself from discussion or voting on the item. The resolution passed without further comment.

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 39018 A resolution authorizing the execution of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Teamsters Local Union 313, covering 127 full-time budgeted positions, effective retroactive to January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2017. Mike Brock, Labor Negotiator; Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources]

The resolution authorizes a 2014 to 2017 collective bargaining agreement for employees at the City’s  wastewater treatment plant and solid waste facility. The resolution was adopted without Council comment.

Resolution No. 39019 A resolution adopting the proposed Equity and Empowerment Initiative framework. [Diane Powers, Division Manager; Nadia Chandler Hardy, Assistant to the City Manager/Interim Director, Neighborhood and Community Services]

Earlier this year the City Council and the City Manager both identified development of this initiative as a top priority for 2014. The goal of the initiative is to change the way business is done in the City of Tacoma, and to identify and eliminate the underlying drivers of inequity in our community.

The initiative has both an internal focus on building equity into the City’s workforce, policies, programs, initiatives, and budget decisions, and an external focus on ensuring equitable access to services and assets both at the City and with community organizations and businesses.

The initiative has five goals.

  • City will reflect community it serves
  • Purposeful community outreach and engagement
  • Equitable service delivery to all residents and visitors
  • Support for human rights opportunities for everyone to achieve their full potential
  • Overall commitment to equity in local government decision-making

Mayor Strickland called the initiative more than just a “feel-good” measure, but rather one designed to create economic empowerment opportunities in all areas – access to education, jobs, transportation, etc – practical actions to make people’s lives better so they can move forward.

FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28249 An ordinance amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to implement rates of pay and compensation for employees represented by the District Lodge #160, on behalf of Local Lodge #282, of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance Supervisors’ Unit, covering three full-time employees. [Mike Brock, Labor Negotiator; Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources]

The ordinance passed without Council comment.

Ordinance No. 28250 An ordinance extending the interim land use regulations concerning the production, processing, and retail sale of recreational marijuana through May 16, 2015. [Brian Boudet, Planning Division Manager; Peter Huffman, Director, Planning and Development Services]

After lengthy Council comment the ordinance was adopted. A lot of issues remain to be addressed (hopefully) by any permanent regulations put into place.

As to concerns about “clustering” of marijuana businesses, perhaps some of the impacts can be addressed through better enforcement of prohibitions on public consumption of marijuana, as well as regular noise and public intoxication enforcements. Specifically regarding the 6th Ave district, a couple council members mentioned that upcoming conversations around residential parking permit programs might also help. As far as directly addressing concerns over dispersion of businesses around town, the Council seems interested in having the discussion, but expressed some misgivings as well around dictating concentrations of one particular kind of business. Councilmember Boe asked rhetorically whether if we enforce a dispersion of marijuana businesses, if we might also have to look at enforcing a similar dispersion of bars and restaurants or other businesses around Tacoma.

Clearly regulating this new industry will be problematic, especially with unclear guidance from state and federal agencies. Another issue that will need some serious discussion is the question of how to deal with the as yet unregulated medical marijuana establishments. Until we get decisions from the State, it will be hard to write legislation on the local level, but the businesses continue to operate, and to have a significant impact on conversations around the legally permitted recreational establishments. As Mayor Strickland concluded the discussion, a part of the goal will have to be finding a way to balance concerns of neighbors over impacts, while dealing fairly with those businesses that have gone through all the regulatory hurdles and are trying to play along with existing regulations.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 28252 An ordinance amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to implement rates of pay and compensation for employees represented by the Teamsters Local Union 313. [Mike Brock, Labor Negotiator; Joy St. Germain, Director, Human Resources]

The ordinance would implement the collective bargaining agreement adopted in the earlier resolution. It will get a final reading next week.

PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPEALS

This is the date set for a second public hearing by the City Council on the draft North Downtown Subarea Plan and proposed amendments to the Municipal Code Chapter 13.06A, Downtown Tacoma. [Ian Munce, Special Assistant to the Director; Peter Huffman, Director, Planning and Development Services]

The subarea plan has been through a lengthy public process, with a lot of input from stakeholder groups. It will address key issues of development in the area, including

  • Stadium Way slope design standards
  • Link extension integration
  • Expansion of the reduced parking area
  • Support for the Bates downtown campus master plan
  • Stadium Business District boundaries
  • On-street parking in the stadium mixed-use center

By the end of the year all three subarea plans – South Downtown, North Downtown, and Hilltop – should have certification, which will be needed for an application for a federal Small Starts grant to fund a part of the Link expansion, among other things.

Since the plan has been through such a thorough public process to this point, there was only one commenter; Denny Faker of the Stadium Business District and the committee for this subarea plan thanked the City for the thorough public process.

COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Public Safety, Human Services, and Education Committee (From the 9-23-2014 City Council meeting) – Deputy Mayor Woodards reported on recent work of the committee.

  • Heard a presentation from Tacoma Police Department regarding the West End alcohol impact area and its affects on calls for service for alcohol related incidents
  • Got an update on the City’s Neighborhood Gang Reduction project
  • Conducted interviews for Citizen Review Panel
  • Heard from Tacoma Housing Authority regarding their meth program and efforts to handle meth contamination in housing units
  • Also heard a THA presentation on its education program – including program elements, outcomes so far, and new initiatives
  • Heard a presentation on the Tacoma Police Department co-responder program which embeds a mental health professional in TPD to respond to calls and help provide diversion for individuals suffering from mental health problems
  • Tacoma Fire Department updated the committee on its 911 education efforts, a pilot program for false alarm fines, and the department’s ability to respond to an oil spill

At its next meeting the committee will hear about mental health and substance abuse programs and funding, and metal theft.

Economic Development Committee – Councilmember Campbell reported on recent topics covered by the committee.

  • Heard an update from the Events and Recognition Committee on 2014 and 2015 events
  • Heard a briefing on the Neighborhood Business District program
  • Heard an update on the Live Downtown program
  • Heard an update from Foss Waterway Seaport on renovations
  • Heard from Economic Development staff on key financial indicators

At its next meeting the committee will interview candidates for the Events and Recognition Committee, and receive a briefing from the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts.

Councilmember Ibsen announced that in King 5’s Best of Western Washington the Proctor Art Gallery is in 3rd place in its category. The winner will be featured in NW Magazine, so get your vote in for all your favorite local places and businesses at best.king5.com. (Hint: you can vote for Exit133 in the Best Neighborhood Blog category, over all those Seattle folks…)

Councilmember Boe shared a few events

  • Tacoma Art Month, now in October, kicks off this Thursday, October 2, with an opening event from 6 to 9 pm at the downtown Tacoma post office building. It’s free and open to the public with no RSVP required. The event will include a little speechifying, live music, art exhibits, open studios, and the presentation of the Amocat Arts Awards.
  • The Broadway Farmers’ Market continues through October.
  • The Proctor Farmers’ Market continues through December.

Councilmember Woodards reminded us that we’re all invited to the Breaking the Silence Rally against domestic violence this Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at Tollefson Plaza.

ADJOURNMENT

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