City Council Study Session: Transportation Improvement Program & Charter Review Recommendations - May 7, 2024

The Tacoma City Council held a study session on May 7, 2024, to discuss the Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) update and the Charter Review Committee's final recommendations. The council also reviewed the City Manager's weekly report and entered executive session.

Discussion Items

1. Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Improvement Program Update

• Staff presented the annual amendment to the TIP, including proposed removals totaling approximately $34 million (e.g., Docks Street Local Improvement District at $27 million, completed projects like the I-5 and South 56th Street ADA compliance) and proposed additions totaling approximately $20 million (e.g., mobility and safety improvements at South 56th Street and Pacific Avenue with $650,000 in grant funds, protected bike lanes on South 11th and 12th Streets, South Hosmer Street Vision Zero improvements, Yakima Avenue grind and overlay, 2024 ADA self-evaluation and transition plan, and a partnership with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians for multilingual street name signs).
• Councilmember Bushnell asked about the frequency of amendments (annual) and expressed support for the 84th and Yakima safety improvements and the inclusion of South Hosmer. She also inquired about Safe Routes to Schools integration; staff noted that a prioritization plan exists and Baker Middle School is being considered for state grants.
• Councilmember Rumba raised concerns about Northeast Tacoma (e.g., North Shore Parkway, Norpoint Way) lacking projects in the TIP. Staff acknowledged the need and noted that the Transportation Master Plan update and Vision Zero safety audits are underway, and future Streets Initiative may prioritize arterial corridors.
• Deputy Mayor Hines asked about the South 56th and Pacific Avenue improvements, clarifying that they are primarily ADA-focused and would not conflict with future BRT or roundabout designs; temporary ADA improvements will be implemented this year.
• The council set a public hearing date for May 21, 2024, and a first reading on June 11, 2024, with adoption by July 1, 2024, as required by state law.

2. Charter Review Committee Final Recommendations Report Review

• The council discussed the process for reviewing the 24 charter amendment recommendations. City Attorney Chris Bacha explained that charter amendments require voter approval, while ordinance changes can be done by the council. He noted that the charter must establish the form of government, number and terms of council members, and mode of exercising power; anything else is discretionary.
• Councilmembers identified several items that need little further discussion: removing the Humane Society from the charter (number 10), eligibility for employment citizenship (21), employment anti-discrimination (22, though Councilmember Bushnell requested adding caste), and possibly salary commission (1) and landmark preservation commission (11).
• Items requiring more information or deeper discussion included: form of government (7, 24), term limits (2), full-time council (8), police accountability (new section), elections (ranked choice voting, referendum, initiatives, campaign finance - numbers 3, 4, 5, 6), and TPU-related recommendations (15-18). The council agreed to hold a joint meeting with the Tacoma Public Utilities board to discuss the four TPU proposals.
• Councilmember Bushnell proposed an amendment to add caste to the anti-discrimination provision and suggested pulling some items out of the charter to be handled by ordinance or resolution.
• Councilmember Rumba proposed amendments regarding shoreline property transfer to other governments, fiscal notes for citizen-led initiatives, and residency requirements for council eligibility.
• The council agreed to schedule a full-day retreat (likely a Friday) to discuss complex items, rather than multiple evening meetings, to allow uninterrupted deliberation on each topic.

Key Outcomes

• The council set a public hearing for May 21, 2024, for the Six-Year TIP amendment, with a first reading on June 11, 2024, and adoption by July 1, 2024.
• The council will schedule a full-day retreat to discuss charter recommendations; staff will document the process and circulate a list of items needing no further discussion.
• The City Manager's weekly report noted four proclamations for the evening's regular meeting (Affordable Housing Week, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Historic Preservation Month, Hunger Awareness Month) and one agenda modification (removal of ordinance regarding eminent domain for East Portland Avenue project).
• The council entered executive session for 15 minutes to discuss pending litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i).