“Tacoma City CouncilStudy SessionNoon, Tuesday July 25, 2000Room 16, Municipal Bldg. N.728 St. Helens AvenueTacomaExpansion of Utility ServicesThe Tacoma Public Utility Board will present a draft Tacoma Public Utilities Service Expansion Policy for discussion.The Public Utility’s operating divisions – Tacoma Power, Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail – have reportedly been increasingly approached by outside parties about expanding their services. The draft policy suggests guidelines and criteria the utilities should meet prior to expanding services.A basic premise behind discussions about the plan is there should be a combination of benefits for both existing and new customers. If the board and council eventually adopt the policy, Public Utilities staff would evaluate any future service candidates by these standards.Tacoma City CouncilCouncil Meeting5:00 p.m., Tuesday July 25Room 16, Municipal Bldg. N.728 St. Helens AvenueTacomaWork Release FacilitiesThe Council will take testimony and vote on remanding the current zoning ordinance for work release centers and juvenile community facilities back to the Planning Commission. If the resolution passes, the commission will review and possibly recommend expanding the areas where these facilities may locate.Fife Fire EngineIn an agreement between the City of Tacoma Fire Department and Fife Fire District 10, the district provided $350,000 of the $408,000 needed to purchase a new fire engine.The truck will be located at Station 12 in Fife. The fire engine will be used to fight fires in both cities.The addition of the engine gives both Fife and the Tacoma Fire Department another asset to assist in response time.The Council will take testimony on the ordinance and vote at a later date on appropriation of funds for the engine.Checking MethAn ordinance up for public comment at this meeting would limit the quantity of certain over-the-counter medications sold during a 24-hour period.The ordinance would restrict large-quantity sale of over-the-counter pseudo-ephedrine medication, often used in medications such as Sudafed, Actifed, and diet pills. Pseudo-ephedrine produces ephedrine, a key ingredient used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.Washington is the nation’s second-largest producer of meth labs. The Department of Ecology, which cleans up identified labs, made nearly half of its calls in Pierce County last year.Parking CommentsCitizens are invited to comment on parking in downtown Tacoma. Staff from the Tacoma Public Works Department will be on hand to take comments or ideas about expanding space for public parking.”