Tacoma residents will have plenty of opportunities next week to learn more about what’s going on in city government.
Tacoma City Council will hold its regular weekly study session and council meeting. In addition, four council committees will meet to discuss a variety of issues ranging from infrastructure to public safety to economic development.
Here is a look ahead at some notable activities next week at City Hall.
TRAFFIC CIRCLE BEAUTIFICATION
On Monday, Tacoma City Council’s Neighborhoods and Housing Committee will meet to discuss the city’s traffic circles. In April, a councilmember asked if Tacoma could create a program to recognize individuals and community groups that work to beautify traffic circles in their neighborhoods. Similar programs exist in other cities, including Vancouver, B.C.
According to a report prepared by City staff, there are 152 traffic circles in Tacoma, and approximately half are landscaped with vegetation and maintained by community volunteers through Tacoma’s “Adopt-A-Spot” program. City staff also note traffic circles are vital to reducing accidents at residential intersections. During the meeting Monday, council committee members will discuss the city’s traffic circles, including information about installation, maintenance, neighborhood beautification efforts and funding.
The committee will also hear from staff on proposed changes to the noise enforcement code, which was enacted in 2008, and could be changed based on enforcement experience and public input. According to City of Tacoma staff, the code is currently under review by a noise code consultant, and staff plan to conduct a peer review of other codes and seek input from various stakeholder groups.
Finally, the committee will discuss Tacoma’s temporary homeless camps.
The meeting will be held on Mon., Oct. 21 at 4:30 p.m. in the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street, Conference Room 248. A copy of the agenda is available online here.
MARIJUANA AND INITIATIVE 502
Councilmembers will meet Tuesday at City Hall to discuss regulations related to Initiative 502, a ballot measure approved by voters last year that legalizes the production, sale and use of marijuana. The Washington State Liquor Control Board, which is responsible for rolling out the plan, is expected to complete proposed rules and regulations and begin accepting license applications next month. Earlier this month, the City of Tacoma began the process of creating its own interim rules and regulations in order to address the Tacoma-based applications that are expected to be submitted to the Washington State Liquor Control Board.
Councilmembers will discuss this issue during a study session, which will be held on Tues., Oct. 22 at 12 p.m. in Room 16 of Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St. Audio from the meeting will be broadcast live on TV Tacoma and online at tvtacoma.com. On-demand audio archives are available on the Web within 24 hours of the meeting online at tvtacoma.
Later that day, councilmembers will hold a public hearing on the issue during the regularly scheduled city council meeting on Tues., Oct. 22 at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers on the first floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building, located at 747 Market St.
PORT OF TACOMA 10-YEAR-STRATEGIC PLAN
Also on Tuesday, Port of Tacoma Commissioner Connie Bacon and Port of Tacoma CEO John Wolfe will update Tacoma City Council’s Economic Development Committee on the organization’s 10-year strategic plan, which was adopted in 2010 and focuses on strategic investments that enhance the Port of Tacoma‘s activities.
Additionally, the committee will hear from staff on recent activities in the areas of retail, streetscape, and development as they relate to Tacoma’s Neighborhood Business Districts.
The meeting will be held on Tues., Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. in the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street, Conference Room 248. A copy of the agenda is available online here.
