1. Interlocal agreements could pave way for vice task force
The City Council is scheduled to consider a pair of interlocal agreements July 26 related to prostitution and vice. The first agreement with the City of Fife Police Department, City of Lakewood Police Department and Washington State Department of Corrections would allow the creation of a pilot Pierce County Regional Vice Task Force. The second agreement with the City of Fife Police Department, City of Lakewood Police Department, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Metropolitan Development Council, Washington State Department of Corrections and Safe Streets Campaign would implement the Pierce County Pilot Prostitution Customer Diversion and Accountability Program. Both agreements appear on the consent agenda for the July 26 meeting.
2. Council to consider re-instating, revising political sign code
City Council members are scheduled to hear the final reading July 26 of an ordinance that would re-instate the portion of the Citys 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 be allowed on planting strips with the permission of the abutting property owner.
3. Council and Utility Board to discuss water and power issues
Members of the City Council and the Tacoma Public Utility Board are scheduled during the July 26 study session to discuss a number of water and power issues, in addition to a discussion of the results of the Appointments Committees review of applications for the vacant seat in City Council District 2. The Council and Utility Board will discuss differentials between water rates and system development charges for customers in Tacoma and customers outside Tacoma, as well as a discussion of the upcoming sale of Tacoma Water and Tacoma Power bonds. 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 audio may be heard Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. on CityPost (channel 85 on Click!, channel 77 on Comcast).
4. Ethnic Fest celebrates cultures at Wright Park July 30-31
Ethnic food, music, dance and cultures highlight Tacomas and Pierce Countys annual celebration of our communitys diversity July 30-31 at the 2005 Ethnic Fest. The free festival at Wright Park, at the corner of Division and I streets, runs from noon to 7 p.m. It will also feature an arts and crafts fair, information booths from community organizations and an evening concert and outdoor movie starting at 6:30 p.m. on July 30.
5. Car show, live music headline Fern Hill Days on July 31
Live music and a car show highlight the annual Fern Hill Days celebration July 31 on Park Avenue in the Fern Hill Business District, between 82nd and 84th streets. The free festival kicks off at 10 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m. For more information about this years Fern Hill Days bash, check http://www.fernhillbusinessdistrict.com.
