For the second year in a row, Tacoma was named one of the worst run cities in the country. The report by WalletHub compares budgets and quality of services offered by 149 US cities. Ranking just behind Detroit and only slightly better than Flint, Michigan, Tacoma ranked 141 on the list.
From WalletHub “The past year has been a true test of the effectiveness of local leadership. City leaders have had to deal with economic difficulties like high inflation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other issues like elevated homicide rates.
Even during less difficult times, running a city is a tall order. The larger the city, the more complex it becomes to manage. In addition to representing the residents, local leaders must balance the public’s diverse interests with the city’s limited resources. That often means not everyone’s needs can or will be met. Leaders must carefully consider which services are most essential, which agencies’ budgets to cut or boost, and whether and how much to raise taxes, among other decisions.
But how do we measure the effectiveness of local leadership? One way is by determining a city’s operating efficiency. In other words, we can learn how well city officials manage and spend public funds by comparing the quality of services residents receive against the city’s total budget.
Using that approach, WalletHub compared the operating efficiency of 149 of the largest U.S. cities to reveal which among them are managed best. We constructed a ‘Quality of Services’ score made up of 36 metrics grouped into six service categories, which we then measured against the city’s per-capita budget.
In order to determine the best- and worst-run cities in America, WalletHub compared 149 of the most populated cities across six key categories: 1) Financial Stability, 2) Education, 3) Health, 4) Safety, 5) Economy and 6) Infrastructure & Pollution.
We evaluated those dimensions using 36 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the highest quality of service.
Next, we calculated an overall ‘Quality of City Services’ score for each city based on its weighted average across all the metrics. Finally, for each city, we divided the ‘Quality of City Services’ score by the ‘Total Budget per Capita’ (dollar amount) in order to construct a ‘Score per Dollar Spent’ index — displayed as ‘Overall Rank’ in the Main Findings table above — which we then used to rank-order the cities in our sample.”
City of Tacoma City Council Agenda 747 Market Street, Tacoma, WA 98402, Council Chambers Dial: 253-215-8782 Meeting ID: 848 3423 3126 Webinar Link: http://www.zoom.us/j/84834233126 Passcode: 349099 June 27, 2023 5:00 PM
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS: RES41228 – A resolution awarding a contract to Asphalt Patch Systems, Inc., in the amount of $460,860, plus applicable taxes, plus a 15 percent contingency, for a cumulative total of $529,989, budgeted from the Transportation Capital Fund, for replacement of unfit or unsafe sidewalks at various locations within the Eastside Neighborhood Council District – Specification No. PW23-0054F. [Sandra Guffey, Engineering Technician IV; Josh Diekmann, P.E. PTOE, Interim Director, Public Works]
PURCHASE RESOLUTIONS: RES41228 – A resolution awarding a contract to Asphalt Patch Systems, Inc., in the amount of $460,860, plus applicable taxes, plus a 15 percent contingency, for a cumulative total of $529,989, budgeted from the Transportation Capital Fund, for replacement of unfit or unsafe sidewalks at various locations within the Eastside Neighborhood Council District – Specification No. PW23-0054F. [Sandra Guffey, Engineering Technician IV; Josh Diekmann, P.E. PTOE, Interim Director, Public Works]
PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS: 23-0676 Proclaiming July 2023 as Pride Month. 23-0681 Recognizing Doris Sorum.
REGULAR AGENDA
23-0671 – A motion may be considered to confirm the emergency proclamation, related to the damage at the Union Avenue to South Tacoma Way ramp, signed by the City Manager and the Mayor, retroactive to February 27, 2023.
APPOINTMENTS: RES41229 – A resolution appointing Kashmiri Gavronski to the Board of Ethics. [Doris Sorum, City Clerk; Bill Fosbre, City Attorney]
PURCHASE RESOLUTIONS: RES41230 – A resolution awarding a contract to Global Contractors, LLC, in the amount of $2,999,526.00, plus applicable taxes, plus a 15 percent contingency, budgeted from the Transportation Capital Fund, for sidewalk and streetscape improvements from Earnest South Brazill Street to 6th Avenue along Martin Luther King Jr. Way, for a projected contract total of $3,449,454.90 – Specification No. PW23-0021F. [Jon Kulju, Project Manager; Josh Diekmann, P.E. PTOE, Interim Director, Public Works]
RESOLUTIONS: RES41231 – A resolution authorizing the execution of an amendment to the interest-free loan agreement numbered RRB-1269 with Washington State Department of Transportation, to extend the completion date of certain railroad improvement projects from June 30, 2023, to December 31, 2023. [Kyle Kellem, Roadmaster; Dale King, Rail Superintendent]
RES41232 – A resolution authorizing the execution of an amendment to the Tacoma Link Joint Operating Agreement with Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority d.b.a. Sound Transit, to revise and add certain mutually agreed terms and conditions. [Stephanie Brock, Engineering Manager; Josh Diekmann, P.E. PTOE, Interim Director, Public Works]
RES41233 – A resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with Pierce County, in an amount not to exceed $9,600,000, budgeted from the General Fund, for jail services, through December 31, 2028. [Chris Bacha, Chief Deputy City Attorney; Bill Fosbre, City Attorney; Andy Cherullo, Director, Finance]
FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES: ORD28888 – An ordinance amending the non-exclusive 20-year franchise agreement with Rainier Connect North LLC, to transfer the agreement to Alphaboost Purchaser, LLC, to construct, operate, maintain, and provide cable television services in the City. [Jeff Lueders, Division Manager; Amy Clancy, Director, Media and Communications Office]
ORD28892 – An ordinance amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to implement rates of pay and compensation for employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 483, Court Clerks Unit. [Dylan Carlson, Labor Relations Division Manager; Bill Fosbre, City Attorney]
ORD28893 – An ordinance adopting the Six-Year Comprehensive Transportation Improvement Program amended for the years 2023 and 2024-2029. [Jennifer Kammerzell, Assistant Division Manager; Josh Diekmann, P.E. PTOE, Interim Director, Public Works]
ORD28894 – An ordinance amending Chapter 1.95 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Rental Housing Code, to require landlords to comply with health and safety laws; have a City business license before increasing rent or evicting tenants; set limits on late fees for rent and on pet deposits; require 120-day notice to raise rent; add new regulations for shared housing; and standardize screening criteria for the amount of tenant income required to qualify for housing, for reviewing a tenant’s criminal history, and acceptable identification. [Mayor Woodards]
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPEALS: 23-0609 – This is the date set for a public hearing by the City Council on the 2023 Annual Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Regulatory Code, as recommended by the Planning Commission. [Stephen Atkinson, Principal Planner; Peter Huffman, Director, Planning and Development Services]
The Tacoma City Council will hold a Study Session on June 13 at 5:00PM. Webinar Link: http://www.zoom.us/j/84834233126 Passcode: 349099
CONSENT AGENDA
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS:
RES41209 – A resolution authorizing the execution of an Interlocal Agreement with the State of Washington and various Pierce County towns and cities, for the creation of a regional Opioid Abatement Council, as required by Opioid Settlements. [Jacques Colon, Chief Strategy Officer, Office of Strategy; Elizabeth Pauli, City Manager]
PURCHASE RESOLUTIONS:
RES41210 – A resolution awarding a contract to PumpTech, LLC, in the amount of $587,110, plus applicable taxes, budgeted from the Wastewater Fund, for the procurement of Vaughan Chopper Pumps at the South Tacoma Pump Station – Sole Source. [Lance Bunch, P.E., Project Manager; Michael P. Slevin III, P.E., Director, Environmental Services]
RES41211 – A resolution awarding a contract to Scarsella Bros. Inc., in the amount of $469,630, plus applicable taxes, plus a 20 percent contingency, budgeted from the Surface Water Fund, to repair erosion of two shoreline areas adjacent to the St. Paul Confined Disposal Facility, for a projected contract total of $563,556 – Specification No. ES22-0371F. [Jody Bratton, Project Manager; Michael P. Slevin III, Director, Environmental Services]
RES41212 – A resolution authorizing an increase and extending the contract with Republic Parking Northwest, LLC d.b.a. Reef Parking, in the amount of $200,000, plus applicable taxes, for a cumulative total of $1,407,360, budgeted from the Tacoma Dome Fund, for professional parking services for the Tacoma Dome, through June 30, 2024 – Specification No. PF16-0327F. [John McClees, Assistant Director; Adam Cook, Director, Tacoma Venues and Events]
REGULAR AGENDA
RESOLUTIONS:
RES41214 – A resolution authorizing the execution of a Letter of Agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 483, Tacoma Power Unit, regarding the classification of Fire Maintenance Electrician. [Dylan Carlson, Labor Relations Division Manager; Bill Fosbre, City Attorney]
RES41215 – A resolution authorizing the one-time use of Council Contingency Funds, in the amount of $7,000, to sponsor the Summer Coding Workshop Series. [Council Member Daniels]
RES41216 – A resolution authorizing the one-time use of Council Contingency Funds, in the amount of $20,000, to support efforts to mitigate the impact of the City’s light rail investment for the Hilltop Street Fair and Stadium Business District events. [Council Member Blocker]
RES41217 – A resolution authorizing the one-time use of Council Contingency Funds, in the amount of $2,500, to sponsor the 2023 Juneteenth Celebration. [Mayor Woodards]
FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES:
ORD28886 – An ordinance declaring the public necessity for, and providing for the acquisition by eminent domain of certain properties located between McKinley Avenue and Portland Avenue, to construct the pedestrian, signal safety, and road improvements in connection with the East 64th Street, Phase 2 Improvement Project. [Troy Stevens, Senior Real Estate Specialist; Josh Diekmann, P.E. PTOE, Interim Director, Public Works]
ORD28887 – An ordinance amending Title 8 of the Municipal Code, relating to Public Safety, by adding a new Chapter 8.190, entitled “Drug Crimes”, and repealing in its entirety Chapter 8.29, entitled “Drug Paraphernalia”, to comply with state law. [Keith Echterling, Deputy City Attorney; Bill Fosbre, City Attorney]
ORD28889 – An ordinance amending Chapter 1.12 of the Municipal Code, relating to the Compensation Plan, to implement compensation for employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 483, Tacoma Power Unit. [Dylan Carlson, Labor Relations Division Manager; Bill Fosbre, City Attorney]
ORD28890 – An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of one or more series of limited tax general obligation refunding bonds, in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $32,000,000, to defease and refund certain outstanding general obligation bonds of the City and to pay costs of issuing the bonds; providing the form of the bonds; and delegating the authority to approve the final terms of the bonds. [Michael San Soucie, City Treasurer; Andy Cherullo, Director, Finance]
ORD28891 – An ordinance amending Amended Ordinance No. 26749, which granted the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority d.b.a. Sound Transit, a non-exclusive Right of Use Agreement, by adding Exhibits “E” and “F” to establish rights, duties, and responsibilities related to maintenance, repair, or replacement of a portion of a 24-inch stormwater main located under the Link Light Rail Expansion Project Overhead Contact System within Stadium Way. [Corey Newton, P.E., Division Manager, Planning and Development Services; Josh Diekmann, P.E. PTOE, Interim Director, Public Works]
A Tacoma resident refusing to get treated for tuberculosis (TB) for since late last year has been booked into the Pierce County jail. People can die from TB if they don’t get treatment. And they can expose other people to unnecessary risk of getting TB. TB is deadly and contagious but curable with medication.
Earlier this year, after promising to take her medication or voluntarily isolate herself, she was seen hopping aboard a public bus which she took to the casino. On Friday, Feb. 24, the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department went to court for the 16th time to get her to comply. This is the third time in 20 years the Health Department has had to seek a court order to detain a potentially contagious patient who refused treatment for TB.
On June 1, law enforcement transported the patient to the Pierce County Jail where she will be housed in a room specially equipped for isolation, testing and treatment. The Health Department gave thanks to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and the deputies who supported public health with this necessary intervention.
The Tacoma Sun 