Tacoma City Council
Study Session
Noon, Tuesday, January 28, 2003
Room 16
Tacoma Municipal Building North
733 Market St.
Energy assistance programs, rates
The Public Utility Board and City Council will review Tacoma Powers energy assistance programs at a joint study session. One program, Family Need, complements federal energy assistance programs and provides assistance to families with children under 18. It replaces the utilitys similar Project Need. The other assistance program gives discount rates on all Tacoma utility services for qualified customers over age 62 or who have disabilities. Tacoma Power made changes to both programs in response to recommendations of a task force of representatives from social service agencies to make the best use of limited resources and to administer the programs more efficiently. The board and council also will review Tacoma Powers electric rate proposals, which recommend a system-wide rate increase of 5.2 percent beginning April 1. Rate increases would vary by customer class. The council will not take any public comment.
Tacoma City Council
Regular Meeting
5 p.m., Tuesday, January 28, 2003
Council Chambers
Tacoma Municipal Building
747 Market St.
Possible Iraq war resolution
The City Council may take a formal stand against a potential U.S. military attack on Iraq. A resolution sponsored by Council Member Bill Evans, Mayor Bill Baarsma, Deputy Mayor Bil Moss and Council Members Doug Miller, Sharon McGavick and Connie Ladenburg opposes a preemptive attack on Iraq and proposes that the federal government give United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq sufficient time to complete their task. If the council approves the resolution, Tacoma would join approximately 50 other cities – including Chicago and Baltimore -that have taken a formal position. The council will take public comment before voting on the resolution.
Multi-family housing project
Will the City Council approve a tax exemption for up to 45 units of downtown rental housing? Merit Building LLC has proposed to reconfigure and rehabilitate up to 45 units of market rate multi-family housing-including 400 to 600-square foot studios and 550 to 800-square foot one bedroom apartments- in a building located at 951-959 Market St. If the Council approves the resolution, Merit Building LLC will qualify receive a tax exemption of approximately $24,000 per year. The council will take comments before voting.
