City of Tacoma News: Tacoma City Council

Tacoma City Council
5 p.m., Tuesday, November 2, 2004
First Floor
Tacoma Municipal Building North
747 Market St.

Council to vote on rate increases for water, sewer and solid waste
The City Council will consider proposed hikes in wastewater, surface water, solid waste, recycling and hazardous waste utility rates for 2005 and 2006 under a pair of ordinances during the Nov. 9 meeting. Time will be set aside for public comment at the beginning of the Council meeting.

City Council to hold public hearing on the 2005 Property Tax Levies
The public will have the chance to weigh in on local property taxes during an annual public hearing on tax rates at the City Council meeting Nov. 2. The hearing, which is required as part of the annual process of assigning property taxes, will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m.

City may spend $30,000 on City Manager search
A resolution on the Nov. 2 agenda would have the City sign an agreement worth $30,000 with The Oldani Group to assist in the recruitment process for a successor City Manager. If approved, the Bellevue-based company would begin recruiting for a new City Manager on Dec. 3 and close recruitment on Jan. 10, 2005. The tentative timetable would see finalists recommended to the City on Feb. 14, 2005, and finalists interviewed during the first week of March, 2005.

Grant would help fund Tacoma’s Weed and Seed program
City Council members will hear the first reading of an ordinance Nov. 2 that would authorize a $225,000 grant award contract with the U.S. Department of Justice that would help Tacoma’s Weed and Seed program. Tacoma has been an official Weed and Seed site since 1997. The Weed and Seed program helps implement a community plan to prevent, control and reduce narcotics-related crime and prostitution in targeted areas. The program helps weed out crime through law enforcement and community-oriented policing and then to seed the targeted neighborhood with community development and human services programming.

Legislative policy goals and budget process lead study session agenda
Members of the City Council will hear proposals for the City’s 2005 legislative priorities during the Nov. 2 noon study session. The priorities could include legislation that would help the City fund maintenance of streets and bridges, as well as changes that would help generate more general revenue opportunities for cities. The Council will also discuss the deliberation process for the 2005-2006 biennium budget. The public may attend the 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 workshop live.

Planning Commission hearing set for 2005-2010 Capital Facilities Program
The Tacoma Planning Commission will hold a hearing on proposed changes to the 2005-2010 Capital Facilities Program at 5 p.m. Nov. 3 in the first floor Council Chambers of the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St. For more information about the meeting or the proposal, contact the Tacoma Economic Development Department or visit www.cityoftacoma.org/54CompPlan.

City offices closed Nov. 11; garbage/recycling on regular schedule
City of Tacoma administrative offices will close Thursday, Nov. 11, in recognition of Veterans Day. Garbage, recycling and yard waste collection will not be affected. Tacoma Solid Waste Management will collect garbage, recycling and yard waste on Nov. 11, and the City’s landfill, recycling center and household hazardous waste facility will be open that day. Customers with solid waste-related questions may call (253) 591-5543.