Tacoma City Council
Study Session
Noon, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003
Room 16
Tacoma Municipal Building North
728 St. Helens Ave.

Tacoma government study
Should citizens replace Tacoma’s council-manager form of government with a strong mayor form? A joint study by the City Club and the Municipal League of Tacoma-Pierce County answers that question. Representatives from the two organizations will present their findings, which came from 27 interviews with civic and political leaders in Tacoma. The public may attend, but the Council will not take comment.

Tacoma City Council
Regular Meeting
5 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003
Council Chambers
Tacoma Municipal Building
747 Market St.

Adoption of Streetscape study
Ever wonder why you enjoy being in one city more than another? Part of it probably has to do with “streetscape” – the trees, benches, pedestrian walkways, street furniture, lighting and other elements that enhance a city’s character, offer safety and comfort, help visitors find their way and provide an enticing visual experience. Destination Downtown, Tacoma’s downtown plan, calls for just such a streetscape in downtown Tacoma. In addition, the city’s “Green Project” and “Streetscape” are both on the council’s list of capital facility priorities. The City of Tacoma, with input from many public and private groups, recently commissioned a study to examine Tacoma’s current streetscape and recommend ways to enhance pedestrian activity and support development and economic growth. The council will comment and vote on adopting the study’s recommendations. Successful implementation of the study requires more detailed planning, continued community support and a commitment of significant funding.

City, Metro Parks lease agreement
The council will consider a lease agreement between the city and Metro Parks Tacoma for greenhouses and related facilities to be located at the Tacoma Landfill, resulting in cost savings for both organizations. If approved, the 35-year lease agreement would allow construction of six 30-foot by 100-foot greenhouses and related employee/storage facilities on the landfill’s west side. Under this cost-sharing agreement, Metro Parks and the city’s Public Works Department will operate their respective greenhouses, heated by the landfill’s methane gas, and share resources and common areas.

‘Train to the Mountain’ grant
Thanks to a grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation, another section of the city’s “Train to the Mountain” track may get refurbished after years of neglect. The City Council will consider accepting a $547,000 grant that would go toward critical repair and upgrade work along 20 miles of track between Graham and Eatonville. Most of the work would include tie replacement and track ballasting. The City Council took public testimony July 29.

Steele Street improvements
Will Costco be able to bulk up Steele Street? Can the company recover its costs for improvements? The City Council will vote on an ordinance that will answer those question. A developer reimbursement agreement would allow Costco to recover improvement costs for Steele Street – from Idaho Street to South 35th Street – from owners developing in the reimbursement area within 15 years after the agreement is filed. Street improvements will include the addition of sidewalks and streetlights. Initial timelines call for the work to be done before the 2003 holiday shopping season. The council held a public hearing Oct. 22 and took public comment July 29.

Grant funding for those in need
The City Council will consider three resolutions which, if approved, will disburse Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to three local organizations aimed at helping those in need. The council will consider granting funds to:
– Emergency Food Network: $52,000 would help the group purchase a new walk-in freezer unit, expanding the capacity from 80,000 pounds to 250,000 pounds.

– Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful: Associated Ministries runs the program and would receive $58,000 for staff, insurance, phone and other administrative costs required to maintain the service.

– Metropolitan Development Council: The $128,000 grant would help provide minor home repair assistance to senior or disabled homeowners who meet the very low income requirements.

For 29 years, the City of Tacoma has received CDBG federal funding. Each year, the City Council approves a plan for providing assistance to non-profit agencies throughout Tacoma. The council will take public comment before voting on each of the funding proposals.