Tacoma City Council
Study Session
Noon, Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Tacoma Municipal Building North
Room 16
728 St. Helens Ave.
Public works, animal control
The City Council will hear from Historically Under-utilized Business (HUB) Program Supervisor Percy Jones, Jr. and coordinator of the Small Works Roster, Purchasing Analyst Marie Holm, on the city’s enhanced contracting opportunities for small businesses. In addition, Kim Gerhardt from the Legal Department will review proposed changes to the city’s Animal Control ordinance.
Tacoma City Council
Regular Meeting
5 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Tacoma Municipal Building
Council Chambers
747 Market St.
Anti-discrimination amendment
The City Council will vote on the proposed ordinance that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s existing anti-discrimination law. The current protected class ordinance, last updated in 1993, prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status and any physical disability. The ordinance would apply to all businesses regardless of size, but the city would exempt non-profit religious organizations and affiliated organizations, such as churches and synagogues. With respect to fair housing, the ordinance would also exempt rented or leased rooms in owner-occupied, single-family dwellings. After a series of public meetings, the council took public comment April 16.
Simplification of animal control regs
The council will review a proposed ordinance that would consolidate most of the regulations relating to animal control – currently six separate city codes – into a new animal control ordinance (see study session). The proposed ordinance would make implementation of the regulations more effective and efficient for the Humane Society, the court system and citizens. The council will take public testimony on the proposed ordinance and expects to vote April 30.
Greenhouse gases
The City of Tacoma would formalize its c to a cleaner environment if the council adopts a resolution to take a leadership role in reducing greenhouse gases from municipal operations wherever possible. Although the city already pursues many of the resolution’s recommended action steps, further implementation – such as investing in efficient fleet vehicles that reduce consumption of fossil fuels – will depend upon budget restrictions. The council will take public testimony and vote on the measure.
Loan for Central Tacoma cleanup
If the council approves a $130,000 loan, Tacoma will move closer to cleaning up a Central Tacoma neighborhood. The council took public comment on the proposed loan on April 16.
Tax breaks for property owners
The council will take public testimony and vote on granting market-rate housing tax exemptions to Matthew and Julie Graham for eight units of market-rate permanent rental housing to be constructed in the Tacoma Mall Mixed-Use Center, at 4211 South Union Ave. The resolution would give a 10-year property tax break to the owners at an annual savings of $6,800.