The City of Tacoma and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency are considering a deal that would allow the environmental agency to open a satellite office in Tacoma City Hall.

According to documents prepared by City staff, the environmental organization would pay $423 per month to lease approximately 250 square feet of office space in the Tacoma Municipal Building for two years beginning next month. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) intends to use the space as a satellite office to address air quality issues in Pierce County. “The PSCAA’s main office is located in Seattle, but with increased activity in Tacoma/Pierce County due to addressing non-attainment concerns, the PSCAA would like to have a satellite office in Tacoma,” wrote Conor McCarthy, assistant division manager in Tacoma’s public works department, in documents supporting the lease agreement. McCarthy added the PSCAA hired a Tacoma/Pierce County communication and outreach coordinator last year. Leasing office space in City Hall would improve coordination and collaboration between the PSCAA and local partners; improve access for  Tacoma citizens and businesses because of local presence; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from travel to and from Seattle.

The PSCAA works in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington State Department of Ecology clean the air and protect the climate through education, incentives, and enforcement throughout King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

Tacoma City Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution authorizing the execution of a lease agreement during its meeting on Tues., June 12 at 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers on the first floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building, located 747 Market Street. More information is online at http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/cityclerk/Files/CityCouncil/Pendings/2012/Pd20120612.pdf . Meetings are streamed live online at http://www.tvtacoma.com and broadcast live on TV Tacoma.

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