City of Tacoma Washington sent this bulletin at 07/30/2021 09:17 AM PDT
Introduction
Good Morning,
There is no better way to enjoy Tacoma this time of year than to check out the outdoor spaces, shops, restaurants and more that make the City of Destiny special. My kids and I have been taking full advantage of the easing of pandemic restrictions across Washington state starting June 30, with visits to Ruston Way (to see the return of the head saw at Dickman Mill Park), Point Defiance Zoo, and trips to our local beaches.
The City Council resumed in-person Study Sessions on July 20, and those who wish to follow along virtually can still continue to do so. I look forward to returning to the dais in Council Chambers starting August 10, when we move toward a new model of hybrid Council Meetings which offers both virtual and in-person access. Access details are available at cityoftacoma.legistar.com.
We have many important issues to consider and discuss in Tacoma, and I look forward to your continued engagement.
Let’s continue to raise vaccination rates across our community and make it a great summer together! For the latest information on vaccines, current public health guidance and data, please go to tpchd.org.
The Mailbag!
Click the link below to view the July edition of The Mailbag! - a video segment where I read a constituent letter and provide an answer. This month's topic is on reporting potholes and using 311. You can view the video here: The Mailbag! July
The continued discussion of Home in Tacoma at IPS will take place in September and October, and return to Council in November. Some of the topics members of our community brought forward during the public hearing that will be addressed include:
Examining the map for potential zoning changes
Establishing low-scale and mid-scale residential designations
A commitment to design, scale and other standards prior to zoning changes
Strengthening regulatory tools to promote affordable housing
Prioritizing affordable housing and anti-displacement
This process will provide you with further opportunities to engage and be part of our important conversation about the future of Tacoma.
I think it is important for the City to be good stewards of tax dollars and ensure funds are being used to support desperately needed affordable housing and, as Chair of GPFC, I am committed to working with my Council colleagues to find more opportunities across Tacoma and bring a stronger policy proposal back to the full Council this fall. My ongoing conversations with you have reaffirmed for me how important and pressing the issue of affordable housing is.
Restoration of Services
At the August 3 meeting of the Government Performance and Finance Committee (GPFC), we will be hearing about how the City will restore lost services with American Rescue Plan funds. Two major priorities for me and my City Council colleagues, which will be discussed at the meeting, are restoration of the lost fire engine and elimination of library furloughs. Both of which have been restored.
I look forward to upcoming discussions, as I work with my Council colleagues on these priorities and also explore other opportunities in service to our community.
National League of Cities
This past month, I virtually attended the National League of Cities (NLC) Summer Leadership meeting. As part of my service on the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee, I engaged in discussions with other municipal leaders from across the country on how cities can best tap into the resources they need to ensure public safety.
Part of that work involves doing a deeper analysis of our public safety recruitment and retention policies. It is important that we are able to draw the best police officers and fire fighters to serve our community, and that we are able to retain them. I look forward to learning how other cities do this and what lessons can be applied to Tacoma.
Scenes From the City of Destiny
Touring the Main Library
As many of you know, the Tacoma Public Library means a lot to me and, before joining the City Council, I was lucky enough to serve on the Library Board of Trustees.
This past month, Council Member Walker and I toured the Main Library, and we were able to see first-hand how it has creatively adapted to the operational challenges that have emerged during the pandemic to make sure community members have access to materials. I was also very excited to see the Tacoma Tool Library in its new space on the second floor! Going forward, I am eager to see how the library continues to partner with, and find ways to serve, our community.
As many of you know, amidst the budgetary challenges that emerged during the pandemic, the library had faced staff furloughs and closures. When the City received American Rescue Plan funds, ensuring the libraries were open was a high priority for me and my Council colleagues. In the weeks ahead, I am looking forward to hearing about the restoration of lost funds to our libraries and making sure they can continue to do great work in service to our community.
This summer, I have returned to the virtual classroom and I am teaching a summer school course, “Foundations for the Future.” This is a leadership course for high school and middle school students and it has been great to work with students again. One question I often get is, “How can I get more involved in Tacoma?”
My response is always to check out the City’s Committees, Boards and Commissions. My path to serving our community on the City Council began when I served on the Tacoma Public Library Board, and many of my colleagues took a similar path.
The challenges we are facing in Tacoma with COVID-19 are unprecedented, but I want to let you know that we are taking important steps to address it in our community. We are working hard to support residents, families and businesses as we continue to address this public health crisis.
Rental and Utility Assistance: Pierce County and City of Tacoma residents struggling to pay rent or utilities due to impacts of COVID-19, can apply for assistance PierceCountyWA.gov/housinghelp
Washington State/Governor Jay Inslee COVID-19 Response: coronavirus.wa.gov
Please be sure to check out cityoftacoma.org for City updates and resources and, as always, please email me directly at john.hines@cityoftacoma.org and do not reply to this email. You can also call me at (253) 312-5620 if you have questions.
