City of Tacoma News

1. Council to consider $89 million Central Plant upgrade

City Council members are scheduled to vote on a resolution April 19 that could approve the total project budget for the $89 million Central Treatment Plant (CTP) Upgrade and Expansion Project. If approved, the resolution would include authorizing an agreement with Montgomery Watson Harza for up to $79 million for the design and construction of the plant upgrade at the City’s main CTP on Portland Avenue. The CTP was originally built in 1952 and upgraded in 1989. The new upgrade aims to increase the capacity of the plant to handle future water treatment demands through 2020.

2. Grant would help fund anti-domestic violence advocacy, Family Justice Center

A resolution on the April 19 City Council agenda could authorize the City to submit an application for the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant along with Pierce County for the amount of $539,716. If the grant is awarded in the amount requested, it would be equally split between the City and Pierce County. Tacoma’s funding would be distributed as follows: $100,000 to the Tacoma Police Department to support overtime costs for special emphasis teams, $69,858 for Human Rights & Human Services anti-domestic violence advocacy and client support services, $50,000 for operating costs of the Family Justice Center and $50,000 to support community-based crime prevention programs. If approved, the City of Tacoma will apply for the grant from the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the City and Pierce County.

3. Ordinance could clarify code related to Fourth of July event vendor

Members of the City Council are scheduled to hear the first reading of an ordinance April 19 that would amend the Municipal Code to allow the contract with the Tacoma Events Commission to host the City’s annual Fourth of July events to continue as long as the council is satisfied with the vendor’s services.

4. Council to review capital facilities priorities and debt capacity

City Council members are scheduled to hear a review of the City’s current capital facilities priorities and debt capacity during the April 19 study session. The public may attend the noon study session in Room 16, Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St., but the Council will not take public comment. CityPost (Channel 85 on Click!, Channel 77 on Comcast) will air the audio portion of the session live. Replays of the study session’s audio can be heard Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. on CityPost (channel 85 on Click!, channel 77 on Comcast).

5. Free gas mower turn in April 23 for City and County residents

City of Tacoma and Pierce County residents can recycle their old gas mowers for free on April 23 at the fourth annual free gas mower turn in sponsored by the City of Tacoma. The event takes place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the City of Tacoma Recycling Center at the Tacoma Landfill, 3510 S. Mullen St. Gas mowers spew harmful pollutants into the air. According to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, using a gas-powered lawn mower for one hour creates as much pollution as driving from Safeco Field to the Tacoma Dome and back.

As in the past, the mowers will be donated to a Bates Technical College small-engine repair class. After students learn about the engines, the metal from the mowers will be recycled.