Councils prepare to review their Community Council ...cms.cityoftacoma.org/NeighborhoodCouncils/... · granted more than $1.2 million for Innovative Grant projects and our $8.5 million

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Councils prepare to review their Neighborhood Action Strategies

Tacoma’s Neighborhood Council’s are due for a check-up.

This fall, the eight Councils are being asked to review the Neighborhood Action Strategies they developed back in 1998. The plans were designed to serve as roadmaps for where the Councils wanted to go and what they wanted to do. Now, nearly 13 years later, it is time to assess what has been accomplished, what is left to do and what new projects or issues should be addressed through the plans.

“Anyone who is familiar with the Neighborhood Councils knows that these groups are made up of people who are ‘doers,’” says Elton Gatewood, coordinator of the Neighborhood Council Program. “So we need to stop for a moment to look at all that has been done over the last 12 years or so and start looking ahead to what they want to accomplish in the years to come.”

Gatewood has asked each Council to host a neighborhood-wide meeting this fall to gather input on community priorities that will help direct efforts in the future. “Thanks to having granted more than $1.2 million for Innovative Grant projects and our $8.5 million in Building Tacoma Together bond funds, we’ve been able to cross a lot of items off each of the Councils’ long and very impressive ‘to do’ lists,” Gatewood says.

But with time, priorities can change, which is why it is time for the Councils to update their plans to make sure they accurately reflect residents’ concerns and wishes for their neighborhoods going into the next decade. “What was important in 1998 may no longer be relevant,” Gatewood says. He also notes that the Councils should be looking for ways to take advantage of programs the City has launched in recent years, such as Community Based Services, so they can leverage all available resources to address local problems or concerns.

Residents should check their Neighborhood Councils’ websites and/or newsletters for information on meeting dates and times where Neighborhood Action Strategies will be discussed or email Elton Gatewood ([email protected]) to request a copy of a specific Council’s Neighborhood Action Strategy.

Community Council gets proactive

As the Neighborhood Councils prepare to review their individual Neighborhood Action Strategies (see accompanying story), the Community Council of Tacoma is looking at how it can reflect the collective concerns of the city’s neighborhoods.

The Community Council is comprised of three representatives from each of the eight Neighborhood Councils. Ginny Eberhardt, the Community Council’s president, says the group has added a new focus to its efforts. “We take a topic that one of the Neighborhood Councils feels is important to all councils, but perhaps hasn’t been seen yet by everyone,” she says, citing as an example a land use issue that if allowed to happen in one Council area would impact all of Tacoma and potentially open a Pandora’s Box for the rest of the city. 

“We discuss what the Community Council can do (if anything), get input from other Councils and see what we can do to help the Neighborhood Council that brings the issue forward,” she says. “We want to become more proactive rather than reactive.  Discussing these items before they become city-wide should help us to not only be heard, but to allow us to have a voice for the people of the neighborhoods.”

The Community Council meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in Room 16 of the Tacoma Municipal Building (North) at 735 St. Helens Ave.

The Neighborhood CouNCils have used iNNovaTive graNTs aNd buildiNg TaComa TogeTher boNd moNey To address Neighborhood prioriTies suCh as New sidewalks.

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Across the FenceA look at what Tacoma’s Neighborhood Councils are doing

CentralThe steering committee for Peoples’ Pool requested the CNC write a letter to Metro Parks and the City Council in support of its efforts to renovate the aging but vital community pool…The Central Neighborhood Council is currently taking applications for several vacant board positions. Applications can be obtained on the CNC web site (www.cnc-tacoma.com)...Neighbors celebrated the grand re-opening of the remodeled Safeway on M Street in June.

EastsideResidents are encouraged to bring their ideas on ways to best spend a surplus of nearly $200,000 from the McKinley Park budget to Metro Parks Capital Improvement Committee. The Committee meets on the second and fourth Mondays of every month at 4702 S. 19th St. ..Council members heard a presentation from Nan Hogan on disabled parking enforcement. The current fine for parking in a disabled spot without a proper permit is $250. That fine will increase to $450 in July 2011…The Eastside Neighborhood Council held its annual picnic on July 19 at Stewart Heights Park.

New Tacoma The Council continues to support the Tacoma Farmers’ Market and efforts to make it a permanent fixture in Downtown. To help spread this message, the Council has sponsored a booth at the Farmers Market where it is also working to expand its outreach

efforts and recruit new members…At recent meetings, members received updates on revitalization efforts along the MLK Corridor as well as planned enhancements at UW-Tacoma…The Council received many applications for Innovative Grants and approved four projects, including a community garden and pedestrian safety improvements.

NortheastMembers of the Council’s executive and planning committees prepared a list of items to be considered in the City’s Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Plan, including sidewalk improvements on Browns Point Boulevard NE, landscaping and widening of Northshore Parkway and left turn improvements on Marine View Drive NE in the area near Schnitzer Steel. .. The NE Tacoma Neighborhood Council plans to work with the City’s Code Enforcement and Streets and Grounds divisions to formulate a follow-on plan for maintenance of roadside strips along Northshore Parkway and other arterials.

North EndNorth End residents have identified the following items as neighborhood priorities: community garden/park at 16th and Junett; one percent of Public Works ROW money assigned annually by Neighborhood Councils; removing off-street parking requirements in C1 and C2 zones; community center; streetcars in the North End; flashing crosswalk on Proctor near Mason MS; bulbouts on arterials that have parking; expand/highlight historic districts; bury all overhead wires; stage in Old Town Park.

South EndBased on community input, Tacoma Police are working with residents to identify and better monitor bars and taverns in the neighborhood that have a high number of calls for service

due to fighting, drug trafficking or other crimes…Members of the South End Neighborhood Student Advisory Committee are using their summer vacation to help paint and improve the homes of elderly and/or low income residents of the neighborhood…The Council approved several Innovative Grants for signage and sidewalks in the South End.

South TacomaJennifer Kammerzell from the Public Works Department attended the Council’s June meeting to gather community input on transportation needs and concerns in South Tacoma as part of the City’s transportation planning process…Public Assembly Facilities Director Mike Combs spoke to the Council in May to discuss planned changes to Cheney Stadium… The South Tacoma Car Show will be Aug. 21 and feature more than 300 cars, trucks, and motorcycles, music, food, beer gardens, vendors, and door prizes. South Tacoma Way will be closed from 50th to 56th streets for the event.

West EndOn Sept. 25, the West End will have a clean-up effort for residents in single family homes and duplexes in the area from Jackson (west) to SR 16 (east) and from South 19th (south) Street to SR 16 (north).  The event is free to all living in this area, but those participating must supply a legal driver’s license or ID and use one of their allotted call-to-hauls for the year.  The collection will take place in the parking strip along South 8th and Mildred streets near Hunt Middle School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Make a note of it!Neighborhood Council meetings

Central: Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m.Snake Lake Nature Center S. 19th and Tyler Street www.cnc-tacoma.com

ENACT: Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Pool at Stewart Heights Park 402 E. 56th St. at Railroad Crossing www.eastsidetacoma.com

New Tacoma: Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.Tacoma Municipal Building 747 Market St. 7th Floor Conference Room www.NewTacoma.org

Northeast: Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.Centre at Norpoint 4818 Nassau Ave. N.E. www.netacoma.org

North End: Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m.University of Puget Sound Student Center N. 15th and Lawrence www.nenc.org

South End: Board meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.General meetings are scheduled quarterly Fire Station Eight 4911 S. Alaska St. www.sencotacoma.com

South Tacoma: Board meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.7634 S. Fife. General meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. South Park Community Center 4851 S. Tacoma Way

West End: Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.Fire Station 16 7217 Sixth Ave. http://westendtacoma.tripod.com

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City Scoop:News and Notes from City offices

Selling your property? Pay attention!Effective Oct. 1, 2010, the City of Tacoma’s new side sewer inspection requirement states that property owners must have their private side sewers (the connections between buildings and the City’s main sewer system) inspected before the sale or transfer of a home or business, major remodeling, or any construction over an existing side sewer.

The City will accept any video inspections for review and issue Certificates of Inspection for properties that have already been inspected in anticipation of this program or for those who want to voluntarily comply before Oct. 1.

Side sewer repairs are not required by the City, but can help owners avoid costly property damage should a blocked line cause the sewer to backup into the building.

The inspection requirement is part of a new “Inflow and Infiltration” program aimed at keeping rainwater and groundwater out of the City’s sewer lines. This water should flow into the separate stormwater system and ultimately be discharged into Puget Sound. Rainwater and groundwater that enter the main sewer system through damaged side sewers and improper direct connections from roof drains and sump pumps goes to the wastewater treatment plant where it is unnecessarily – and expensively – treated.

For more information, visit www.cityoftacoma.org/sewerinspection, or call the Environmental Services Science & Engineering Division at (253) 591-5588.

Downtown gets new on-street parkingOn-street parking is returning to Tacoma’s downtown in September. During an initial period, Tacoma will offer a reduced rate of only 75 cents per hour. This will be one of the lowest hourly rates in the Puget Sound area – and significantly below major Northwest cities’ rates such as Seattle ($2.50 per hour) and Portland ($1.60).

Electronic pay stations will be installed in the area bounded by South 7th Street (both

sides), Market Street (both sides), South 21st Street and Dock Street (both sides) for a total of about 1,500 parking spaces. The new pay

stations are more convenient for customers than old parking meters and offer several payment options including coins, credit and debit cards.

Paid on-street parking will facilitate a “Customers First” approach designed to benefit short-stay customers and visitors. Studies show that many on-street spaces are taken by downtown employees who should be using available off-street parking or alternative travel options (transit, bike, walk, etc.).

For more information about parking in Tacoma, e-mail [email protected].

Erase the trace of graffitiThe City has produced a new brochure to help residents address the scourge of graffiti. Although citizens are often the victims of this crime, it is the responsibility of property owners to quickly remove graffiti to discourage the likelihood of more vandalism or other types of crime on or around their property.

In January 2007 the City Council voted to strengthen and enforce the revised nuisance codes with regard to graffiti and its removal. Once graffiti is reported to the City, the affected property owner has 18 days to remove it. Failure to do so may result in the City removing the vandalism and billing the owner for the cost to do so, which generally runs about $1,700 or more.

Community Based Services has produced a new brochure that includes ways to prevent graffiti and what to do if you are hit, including where to get help with clean up. Download a copy at www.cityoftacoma.org under the “Services” tab – Community Based Services.

Tacoma Downtown

Parking Implementation

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2010 Destiny Awards

Mayor Marilyn Strickland and the City Council recognized Tacoma’s top volunteers during the 24th annual City of Destiny Awards in May. Since 1987, the Citizens Recognition Committee appointed by the City Council selects the City of Destiny award winners for their contributions of time and talent (not money) to make Tacoma a better place to live, work and play. The winners are true volunteers who receive no financial compensation for their efforts.

Joining the elite circle of 200 or so previous City of Destiny Award winners are:

Adult Leadership: Andrea SmithAndrea Smith has always lived in Tacoma, and she believes that quality parks are vitally important to our citizens’ quality of life. The daughter of a University of Puget Sound professor and a Tacoma school teacher, Andrea appreciates Tacoma’s dedicated parks district and has worked quietly over the years as a volunteer with the Greater Metro Parks Foundation to help Metro Parks sustain its more than 80 parks, facilities and open spaces, special events, programs and services.

Adult Sustained Service: Karl AndersonMuch of the work that Karl Anderson has done for our community has been under the radar. And although he actually prefers it that way, many of those with whom he has shared his talents believe the time has come to recognize his 25-plus years of volunteerism for more than 50 local area organizations. His extensive level of service to Tacoma is virtually unparalleled and for that, the entire community is pleased to see him get the accolades he so richly deserves.

Neighborhood Group or Community Partnership: Bikes for KidsBefore retired policeman Harold Neufang passed away at the age of 94 in 2000, he spent his time repairing donated bicycles and giving them to needy children. After he passed away, his one-man production line ceased, but a small group of men and women from the Marine View Presbyterian Church in Northeast Tacoma picked up where he left off. With only a simple desire to sustain the magic that he had begun when he was alive, and zero technical knowledge of bike repair, Don Cowan, Bill Peterson and their determined crew of friends got right to work and learned what they could about gears, spokes and bearings so that children throughout Tacoma could enjoy the simple childhood pleasure of riding bikes.

Corporation or Business: Bridges: A Center for Grieving ChildrenOne of Tacoma’s greatest strengths is its safety net of resources for those in need. When families in Tacoma are impacted by overwhelming tragedy, they don’t have to stumble through it alone. Thanks to the community volunteers at “BRIDGES: A Center for Grieving Children” who are trained in adult and

family grief dynamics, families in pain have a safe, supportive haven that makes healing a little bit easier.

Union Group: Teamsters Local 117Teamsters Local 117 was first chartered by the

International Brotherhood of Teamsters in 1936 and has grown to be the largest Teamsters local

union in the region today – representing approximately 16,000 men and women

in just about every profession imaginable at more than 200 employers throughout the

Seattle – Puget Sound region. They are continually on the forefront of community volunteer efforts in the community.

Environmental Sustainability: Puget Creek Restoration SocietyThe volunteers at the Puget Creek Restoration Society banded together to protect Puget Park, which spans approximately 66 acres and reaches from Ruston Way to the Proctor neighborhood. Its waterway flows to Commencement Bay and Puget Sound, and is one of only three creeks in Tacoma repopulating the Northwest’s salmon count. Below the tall trees at Puget Park, volunteers at the Puget Creek Restoration Society can often be found teaching local residents and visitors about the importance of conserving Tacoma’s streams, wetlands and green spaces.

Youth: Jamie ColsonJamie Colson, a senior at Stadium High School, is an achiever who has donated many hours of her time to projects such as fundraising with her school’s Sparrow Club, bagging groceries for My Sister’s Pantry and volunteering at other local organizations.

Youth Leadership: Bethany RogersDespite her age, Bethany Rogers, a 16-year-old Wilson High School junior, plans to be a doctor, especially a pediatrician or a neo-natologist caring for newborns. She wants to help address the unique needs of children and help them maintain their health and happiness, even under extreme distress.

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City of TacomaNeighborhood Council Office747 Market Street, Room 1036Tacoma, Washington 98402-3793Editor’s Box

The Grapevine is published by the City of Tacoma’s Economic Development Department as part of the Neighborhood Council Program. For more information on the resources and programs available through the Neighborhood Council Program, contact Elton Gatewood at 591-5229.

Editor-in-Chief: Elton Gatewood

Editor and Writer: Kate McDermott

Production: Graphic Services Division

If you need this information in an alternative format, please contact Elton Gatewood at 591-5229 TTY 253-591-5820.

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City of DestinyContinued from page 5

Youth Sustained Service: Brandon Hawn and Zachary HawnAlthough the Youth Sustained Service Award is typically given to an individual, 17-year-old brothers Brandon and Zachary Hawn have a lot more in common than the genetic imprint that makes them identical twins. They are both deeply interested in the natural world, have a desire to give back to their community, and are determined to make it all work while balancing their demanding academic schedules. Together, they’ve contributed more than 1,400 hours of volunteer service to the community during the past four years.

The City of Destiny Awards ceremony is supported by local businesses and organizations, including Click! Cable TV and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 23, the event’s largest sponsors.