1. City Council seeks volunteers for Human Rights Commission

Citizens with the skills and passion to provide leadership in supporting and enhancing human rights in Tacoma may apply for two open positions, including one youth position, on the Tacoma Human Rights Commission.
These positions are open to anyone willing to serve for a three-year term. The Tacoma Human Rights Commission is especially interested in applicants who live in currently underrepresented parts of the City, such as Upper Tacoma, the North End, the Northeast and the West End of Tacoma, and who bring diversity to the 15-member group.  The commission encourages those in the Hispanic community to apply. 

The commission’s role is to review and hear appeals on formal cases filed under the City’s anti-discrimination ordinance; initiate complaints when deemed appropriate; conduct studies on relevant issues and submit conclusions and recommendations to the Tacoma City Council; and organize special committees that focus on areas such as hate, violence, police/community relations, equal opportunity, employment and education.

The Tacoma Human Rights Commission meets for study sessions on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in Room 434, and for business meetings on the third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in Room 708 of the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St.

To apply, visit http://www.cityoftacoma.org/HumanRightsCommission or contact Dio Neris at (253) 591-5100, Mayor’s Office, Room 1200, Municipal Building, 747 Market St., Tacoma, WA 98402. Applications should be submitted to the Mayor’s Office.

2. Council cancels meetings for Dec. 21 and Dec. 28

The City Council has announced that the study sessions and regular Council meetings for Dec. 21 and Dec. 28 have been cancelled to mark the holiday season. The Council will resume its regular meeting schedule on Jan. 4, 2005.

3. City offices closed; garbage, recycling, yard waste collection on schedule

City of Tacoma administrative offices will close Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 for the holidays. Garbage, recycling and yard waste collection is not affected by these holidays, so collection will be on the normal schedule. The City of Tacoma’s landfill, recycling center and household hazardous waste facility will close at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and be closed all day on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.