Tacoma City Council
Study Session
Noon, Tuesday, October 8, 2002
Room 16
Tacoma Municipal Bldg. North
733 Market St.
Metro Parks budget
The Metropolitan Park District Board of Commissioners will join the City Council to discuss the citys and Metro Parks proposed 2003-2004 budget and its impact on programs and services. In addition, Metro Parks staff members will provide a Point Defiance Zoo bond project status update. The public may attend the study session, but the council will not take comment.
Tacoma City Council
Regular Meeting
5 p.m., Tuesday, October 8, 2002
Council Chambers
Tacoma Municipal Building
747 Market St.
Extension of LEAP requirements
When construction projects occur in Tacoma, how can the city make sure some of the construction jobs go to local residents? The citys Local Employment and Apprenticeship Program (LEAP) is part of the answer. The program provides workers – particularly those from low-income areas – with training and support services necessary to complete apprenticeship requirements that lead to family-wage jobs. The program requires contractors on public projects of more than $250,000 and all building projects over $750,000 to use Tacoma residents or state-approved apprentices for a minimum of 15 percent of total labor hours on a project. The council will consider extending LEAP requirements to construction contract amendments and change orders, as well as other changes that will clarify contractor responsibilities under the program. The council will take comment and expects to vote on the measure Oct. 15.
Tacoma Water may extend service
If the council approves, Tacoma Water will provide direct water service to four planned single-family housing developments on approximately 1,160 acres in Bonney Lake. Developers for 350 acres of land in the Spanaway/Frederickson area also want Tacoma Water to serve an industrial park and residential community. The Public Utility Board approved both extensions at its Sept. 25 meeting. The council will take public comment on both measures before voting.
Work release regulations
The council plans to vote on proposed amendments that came out of negotiations between the city and the Washington State Department of Corrections. The proposed amendments would limit the state to constructing work release facilities in the same commercial and industrial zones in which they are now allowed (UCX, CIX, M1, M2, & M3), among other changes. The council heard the publics opinion on the subject at a Sept. 24 public hearing after the Planning Commission recommended the city adopt the draft work release settlement proposal. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed changes and took public comment on them Aug. 21. The council took comment again Oct. 1.
Property tax exemptions
The council will take public testimony and vote on granting Multi-Family Housing Limited Property Tax Exemptions to two developers building rental housing in Tacoma – Brown Family Trust and Dobler Limited Partnership. The estimated tax savings annually for 10 years is $23,950 and $16,250 respectively.
