Two-year and technical colleges update leads study session
Members of the City Council are scheduled Dec. 12 to hear a presentation from the Pierce County Coordinating Council regarding the five two-year and technical colleges’ legislative agenda, collaborative economic development efforts and more. Council members are also scheduled to continue discussions about the organization-wide change process. The Council will not take public comment during the noon study session in Tacoma Municipal Building North, Room 16. 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). On-demand audio archives are available on the Web within 24 hours of the meeting at www.tvtacoma.com.
Contact: Karrie Spitzer, Community Relations, karrie.spitzer@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5790
Ordinance would adjust rates for Tacoma Water
City Council members are scheduled Dec. 12 to hear the first reading of a two-step rate increase for Tacoma Water. Each step of the increase would raise rates an average of 7.5 percent system-wide. The increase would help Tacoma Water meet the projected costs of operation and maintenance, debt service, and mandated programs, and it would support activities related to major issues facing the water utility. The adjustment would be implemented in two steps: Jan. 1, 2007, and Jan. 1, 2008.
Contact: Sue Veseth, Tacoma Water, sveseth@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 502-8223
Public hearing scheduled Dec. 12 for Animal Care and Control policies
Council members are scheduled Dec. 12 at approximately 5:30 p.m. for a public hearing on the proposed changes to the Animal Care and Control policies. The suggested amendments to the Municipal code include enacting civil infraction penalties for violations and civil infraction options for barking/animal noise violations, removing conflicts with state law and clarifying animal control procedures.
Contact: Mike Miller, Tacoma Police, mmiller2@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5942
City seeks volunteers for New Markets Tax Credit public authority
The City is seeking volunteers for the New Markets Tax Credit Public Corporation authority. If the corporation is approved by City Council on Dec. 19, those citizens appointed will be responsible for acting as consultants for the New Markets Tax Credit priorities, proposed terms and project preferences. The members will also review prospective, current and completed transactions to ensure accomplishment of goals. These positions are open to anyone willing to serve for a three-year term. Interested applicants should be recognized leaders in their respective organizations or community to reflect broad prospective and should be in direct contact with low income people and their community. The New Markets Tax Credit Public Corporation is especially interested in applicants who live or own businesses in low income communities, or who work for non-profit organizations that provide services to low income communities. To apply, contact Genal Gavaldon at (253) 591-5213, Community and Economic Development Department, or Cynthia Leingang at (253) 594-7848, Mayor's Office, Room 1200, Municipal Building, 747 Market St., Tacoma, WA 98402. Applications should be submitted by Dec. 15, 2006 to the Mayor’s Office.
Contact: Genal Gavaldon, Community and Economic Development, g.gavaldon@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5213
Save holiday cash, trash with discounted 'experience gifts'
Help reduce holiday waste and save money by giving experiences instead of stuff. Purchase "experience gifts" through Waste Free Holidays, a program offering discounted tickets to many Tacoma and Pierce County attractions, events and services such as museums, plays, restaurants, sports, bed and breakfast inns, concerts, massages, yoga, golf and more. Details on all discount offers are listed at www.wastefreeholidays.com.
Contact: Michelle Warmuth, Community Relations, mwarmuth@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2005
City Council standing committee meetings this week
Economic Development Committee
Dec. 12 at 3p.m. in the Municipal Bldg., 747 Market St., 9th Floor Visibility Rm.
Government Performance & Finance Committee
Dec. 13 at 9 a.m., in the Municipal Bldg., 747 Market St., Conf. Rm. 248
Environment and Public Works Committee
Dec. 13 at 4:30 p.m., in the Municipal Bldg., 747 Market St., Conf. Rm. 248
Public Safety and Human Services Committee
Dec. 14 at 5 p.m., in the Municipal Bldg N., 733 Market St., Conf. Rm. 248
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Editor’s Note: For information about these or other City activities after business hours, please call Communications Supervisor, Rob McNair-Huff at (253) 591-5054 (office) or (253) 905-1010 (cell), or Community Relations Specialist, Karrie Spitzer at (253) 591-5790 (office) or (253) 651-0572 (cell).