Tacoma Planning Commission Opening

The City of Tacoma’s Planning Commission has one opening for citizens in Council District 2 (North End, Downtown and Northeast). The position was vacated recently with the resignation of the incumbent. The appointee will be expected to serve through the rest of the three-year term which ends June 30, 2015.

The Planning Commission advises the City Council on issues related to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, land use and development regulations, neighborhood planning, transportation, capital facilities and other long- and short-range planning studies.

The Planning Commission meets at 4 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month in Room 16, Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St.

To ensure eligibility for the Council District 2 position, citizens may obtain a map of council districts from the City Clerk’s Office.

Applications must be submitted to the Mayor’s Office by Friday, Jan. 18, 2013.

To apply, contact Cindy DeGrosse, Mayor’s Office, Room 1200, Municipal Building, 747 Market St., Tacoma, WA 98402, at (253) 594-7848, or download the application from the City’s website.

Volunteer for the Civil Service Commission

Pierce County is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Civil Service Commission for Sheriff's Department employees.  The commission is a quasi-judicial body responsible for rules and regulations governing examinations, appointments, appeals and other general personnel issues.   Commission members must be a resident of Pierce County for a minimum of two years prior to appointment, registered to vote in Pierce County and a United States citizen.   Commissioners are appointed by the County Executive and serve a six-year term. Commissioners are required to attend one monthly meeting, or special meetings as required, and serve on a voluntary basis.   For more information or application materials, please contact Sandy Pietz, Chief Examiner, Pierce County Civil Service Commission, at 253-798-6250 or pccivilservice@co.pierce.wa.us.

Tacoma Seeks Planning Commissioner

The Tacoma Planning Commission has an opening for a citizen residing in Council District No. 5 (south and south end), for a 3-year term that expires on June 30, 2015. 

To apply, contact Cindy DeGrosse, Mayor’s Office, 747 Market Street, Room 1200, Tacoma, WA 98402, (253) 594-7848, or visit http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=1834. 

Applications are due no later than Friday, July 13, 2012.

Write About Tax Increases on Ballot

The Pierce County Council invites members of the public to apply for positions on the committees that will write "for" and "against" statements in the voters' pamphlet about a ballot measure regarding tax increases. The Council recently voted to put a proposed amendment to the Pierce County Charter on the Nov. 6 ballot. If approved, the amendment would require a two-thirds vote of the Council (five out of seven members) to raise new taxes after Jan. 1, 2013. The current threshold is a simple majority of four votes. Under state law, the Council has the authority to appoint up to three members to each committee. The Chamber encourages and the Council invites people who want to participate to submit letters of interest by July 2, 2012. Letters should be sent to Denise Johnson, Clerk of the Council, 930 Tacoma Ave. S, Room 1046, Tacoma, WA 98402 or djohnso@co.pierce.wa.us. Please send a copy to Gary Brackett, Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber, P.O.Box 1933, Tacoma, WA  98401 or garyb@tacomachamber.org. The Council intends to select the members by Resolution at a public hearing on July 10, 2012. Once selected by the Council, the two committees have until Aug. 7 to submit the ballot statements to the County Auditor. More information about the proposal, Ordinance 2012-15s, is available here.

Call-Out for TPU Customer Volunteer Advisors

Tacoma Public Utilities is presenting an opportunity to its customers to apply as volunteer advisors for a newly forming editorial board.

The board will assist TPU’s Community & Media Services in shaping the external communications tools that are delivered, including newsletters, the website and special publications. TPU will seek opinions from board members about existing tools, tools under consideration and key messages. The opinions of the group will help the utility make decisions about its communication and marketing strategies.

The editorial board will meet quarterly in the evenings beginning in September and members will serve two-year terms. Applicants must be a TPU customer. Click here to apply.