Tacoma City Council
Study Session
Noon, Tuesday, May 7, 2002
Room 16
Tacoma Municipal Building North
728 St. Helens Ave.
Fire department audit
Last year the Tacoma Police Department went through a comprehensive audit to learn how the department could better serve Tacoma. Now, it’s the fire department’s turn to receive an objective report on what it does well, and how it can improve service. The independent performance audit committee made up of council members, city staff and citizens, recommended that the City hire Burracker for the audit. The public may attend the noon study session, but the Council will not take comment.
Tacoma City Council
Regular Meeting
5 p.m., Council Chambers
Tacoma Municipal Building
747 Market St.
Commuter rail agreement
If the City Council approves an amendment to the commuter rail agreement later this month, Sound Transit may save as much as $7.6 million and Tacoma may get more round trips to Lakewood sooner. The Council will review the amendment that would give Sound Transit the right to use City-owned track-saving the project 25 percent of its construction costs. This means commuter trains would share track with the city’s freight operations and the planned Train to Mountain passenger service on the 1.3-mile section of city-owned track. The amendment eliminates the need for a grade crossing on Portland Avenue and provides construction funding for more track upgrades on the city owned track during Phase I of the project. The amendment also would give Tacoma a direct connection to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe track. The Sound Transit board approved the amendment to the original January 2001 agreement in late April. When the Sound Transit Link light rail project is complete in a few years, Puget Sound residents – and visitors – will be able to take a train from Lakewood to Everett and points in between. In Tacoma, the train will stop at Freighthouse Square. The council will take public testimony on the proposed ordinance and expects to vote on it.
Police station bonds up
Police station and substation financing will move one step closer to liquidity when the City Council votes on an ordinance to sell $34.3 million of tax bonds. The bonds would pay for the construction of a police headquarters and four neighborhood substations. Voters approved a ballot issue for the police facility projects in February. The City intends to sell bonds through a competitive sale, which would produce proceeds as soon as June 4. The council took public comment on the proposed ordinance April 30 and will vote on a related resolution finalizing the sale May 21.
Tacoma to join Green River Forum?
Tacoma Water wants to talk about the Green River. Out of its continuing efforts to protect the city’s water supply as well as Puget Sound salmon habitat, Tacoma Water will ask for the City Council’s approval of an interlocal agreement to join the Green River Forum. If the City Council approves, Tacoma Water will be the group’s only non-King County member. The total Green River Forum budget, including Tacoma’s proposed $24,000 contribution, is about $470,000. The Forum will use the funds to plan and implement various activities and projects in the area. The Public Utility Board has already approved the $24,500 agreement. The council will take public comment before voting.