1. Resolution could give tax exemption for Proctor area condos

Members of the City Council are scheduled to consider a resolution April 26 that would give a multi-family limited tax exemption to Proctor Partners, LLC, for the construction of six or more condominium units together with commercial and retail space at 2710 N. Proctor St. in the Proctor Mixed-Use Center. If approved, this would be the first development in the Proctor Mixed-Use Center to receive the limited tax exemption.

2. Council approves grant application to fund anti-domestic violence advocacy, Family Justice Center

On April 19 the City Council authorized the City to submit an application for the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant along with Pierce County for the amount of $539,716. If the grant is awarded in the amount requested, it would be equally split between the City and Pierce County. Tacoma’s funding would be distributed as follows: $100,000 to the Tacoma Police Department to support overtime costs for special emphasis teams, $69,858 for Human Rights & Human Services anti-domestic violence advocacy and client support services, $50,000 for operating costs of the Family Justice Center and $50,000 to support community-based crime prevention programs. The City of Tacoma will apply for the grant from the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the City and Pierce County.

3. Council could approve interlocal agreement for Family Justice Center

A resolution on the April 26 consent agenda would authorize the City to enter an interlocal agreement with Pierce County to create and operate the Tacoma-Pierce County Family Justice Center. The center will enhance the community’s response to domestic violence by centralizing services for victims and their families. The center partnership will include law enforcement, prosecutors, non-profit victim agencies, legal advocates, faith-based programs, counseling providers and translation services in a location near the County-City Building.

4. Breakthrough Change, tax exemptions lead study session agenda

City Council members are scheduled to hear an update on progress on the Breakthrough Change Initiative during the April 26 study session. Each of the four teams working on Risk Management, Organizational Restructuring, Compensation and Benefits and Vehicles and Equipment will discuss opportunities they see for savings during the 2005-2006 biennium and beyond. The Council is also scheduled to hear a report on the progress of Tacoma’s multi-family property tax exemption program. The public may attend the noon study session in Room 16, Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St., but the Council will not take public comment. CityPost (Channel 85 on Click!, Channel 77 on Comcast) will air the audio portion of the session live. Replays of the study session’s audio can be heard Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. on CityPost (channel 85 on Click!, channel 77 on Comcast).

5. Council scheduled to consider collective bargaining agreement

The City Council is scheduled to consider a collective bargaining agreement April 26 with District Lodge 160 on behalf of Local Lodge 297 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Track Workers Unit. The agreement covers eight employees for the dates Jan. 1, 2002 through Dec. 31, 2008. If approved, the employees would receive specified wage increases for the years 2002-2005 and general wage increases in 2006, 2007 and 2008 of an amount equal to 90 percent of the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) based on the June index.