City of Tacoma News

1. Council to consider re-instating, revising political sign code

City Council members are scheduled to hear the first reading July 19 of an ordinance that would re-instate the portion of the City’s Municipal Code related to placement of political signs on public rights-of-way. The regulations on political signs were inadvertently removed from the Municipal Code in 2004 during a tax and license code update. The re-instated sign code would prohibit placing signs on public property and public streets, except as authorized by the City of Tacoma. Political signs would also be allowed on planting strips with the permission of the abutting property owner.

2. City Manager swearing-in ceremony held during study session

The swearing-in ceremony for City Manager Eric Anderson headlines the July 19 City Council study session. The public may attend the noon study session in the City Council Chambers, Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St., but the Council will not take public comment. The swearing-in ceremony will be broadcast live on TV Tacoma on Channel 12, and it will be viewable in the archives on the TV Tacoma Web site at http://www.tvtacoma.com.

3. Measure could put low-income housing levy on November ballot

Members of the City Council are scheduled to vote on an ordinance July 19 that could place a low-income housing levy on the Nov. 8, 2005 ballot. If adopted by the Council, Tacoma voters would be asked to approve or reject a six-year increase in the regular property tax levy to raise $2,500,000 annually to help finance affordable housing for low and very low income households. The levy would increase property taxes by $0.18 per $1,000 assessed value and allow the levy to increase 4 percent per year in each of the succeeding five years.

4. City seeks volunteers to write ‘For’ and ‘Against’ statements on bond

The City of Tacoma is seeking volunteers to serve on committees to prepare statements “For” or “Against” the Tacoma Dome Renovation and Improvement Proposition, which will be a ballot measure in the primary election on September 20, 2005. These statements will be included in the Official Voters’ Pamphlet, published by the Pierce County Auditor. To volunteer for a committee and/or to receive further information, please contact the Pierce County Auditor’s office at (253) 798-7427 located at 2401 South 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma. Statements from the “For” and “Against” committees must be received in the Auditor’s office prior to 4:30 p.m., August 5, 2005.