“City Council Study SessionTuesday, November 2, noonTacoma Municipal Bldg. N.,Room 16, 728 St. Helens Ave.Steam Plant, Downtown ParkingThe Council will review a proposal to hire Tacoma Energy Recovery Company, an affiliate of NRG Energy, Inc., to manage Tacoma’s Steam Plant No. 2 for the next 20 years. TERC manages the resource recovery facility at the landfill, which turns garbage into fuel for the plant, which converts it into electricity.Once upgrades are completed the plant will convert over 60 percent of Tacoma’s garbage to energy.TERC would earn revenues from disposal fees and the sale of electricity, while the City would:- Save ratepayers millions of dollars by avoiding disposal fees at a private landfill;- Contribute to the environment by converting garbage into power;- Maintains local control of costs.The public will have the opportunity to comment on the agreement at a hearing November 16.The Council will also study developing a parking plan for downtown.City staff will update the Council on current downtown parking, proposed policy actions, and upcoming projects that will affect parking availability.Staff will recommend adding parking, restructuring the financing of parking facilities and new policies, including code with parking requirements for new construction.City Council MeetingTuesday, November 2, 5 p.m.City Council ChambersFirst floor, Municipal Building747 Market StreetJuvenile Curfew ExtensionTacoma’s curfew may be extended four years to December 31, 2003. The ordinance continuing the curfew will be up for a vote at this meeting.Property ExchangeThe Council will vote on transferring a small strip of City landfill property to the future Home Depot store planned for the property next door. The City would receive $150,000 for the property and would use a portion of the money to remake part of Mullen Street.Total cost of the project is expected to be between $200,000 and $250,000.The Council will vote on the proposal at a future meeting.Wapato Hills FundingThe City and Metro Parks Tacoma are ready to buy 37 acres at Wapato Hills. The Council will take testimony on accepting $900,000 to help purchase the City’s portion of the property.In April 1998, the state approved a $1.4 million grant to help preserve 37 of the 80 acres in Wapato Hills in South Tacoma. Of the $1.4 million, the committee granted $900,000 to the City and $500,000 to Metro Parks to purchase the property together, provided both obtain matching funds.The City has $710,000 in matching funds. To help meet matching funds requirements, Tacoma Water will provide $190,000 by donating land value, selling it under market value.Plans have called for the purchase and set aside of 37 acres, with 23 acres as wildlife habitat and 14 acres as a neighborhood park.”