Tacoma City Council
Study Session
Noon, Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Room 16
Tacoma Municipal Building North
728 St. Helens Ave.
Tacoma Dome renovation
Tacoma Dome staff and consultant Ellerbe Becket will make a presentation regarding the Tacoma Dome Renovation Study which includes improvements to the aging infrastructure of the dome. Improvements include new seating configurations with improved sightlines, concession upgrades, public space and entry enhancements, and potential expansion of the exhibition hall. Other elements of the renovation could include new concert configurations or facilities and exterior improvements that compliment the proposed LeMay Museum and the Dome District. Preliminary cost estimates and funding options will also be discussed. The public may attend, but the council will not take comment.
Tacoma City Council
Regular Meeting
5 p.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Council Chambers
747 Market St.
Tacoma Dome upgrades
The Tacoma Dome needs some improvements to remain competitive in the marketplace. Interior upgrades, a new public entryway, additional concert configurations and expanding the Exhibition Hall are some of the possible enhancements. The City Council will consider a resolution to support upgrading the dome along with exploring funding options for the project. If approved, the resolution would also support a public vote on reissuing the stadium bonds originally passed in 1980 as a means of funding the upgrades.
Idling ordinance
The City Council will continue consideration and may vote on an ordinance that would prohibit owners from leaving their motor vehicles unattended while idling. In 2002, Tacoma had 3,240 vehicles stolen. Approximately 10 percent, or 324 vehicles, were stolen while owners left their vehicles unattended with engines running. Now that winter has arrived, the Police Department expects to see an increase in vehicles stolen while left running unattended. The public testified on the proposed ordinance at the Jan. 13 meeting.
East D Street project
At the City of Tacomas request, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has been negotiating with property owners to purchase right of way and compensate for damages related to the City’s East D street overpass project. Of the seven affected property owners, WSDOT has reached agreements on compensation with three. The city would receive reimbursements for this expense from state and federal project sources in the future. The City Council will take public comment and may vote on a resolution that would authorize the city to complete these right of way transactions.
Government structure discussion
The Tacoma Charter Review Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 29 in room 16, Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St. Topics for the meeting include a presentation on government structure, the initiative/referenda process and the charters preamble. Time will be set aside for public comment. CityPost – Channel 77 on Comcast, Channel 85 on Click! – will air the audio portion of the Charter Review Committee meeting live.
