Hearing on Large Scale Retail Moratorium

On Tuesday evening, the Tacoma City Council heard from numerous people on the August 30th emergency moratorium prohibiting new applications for retail establishments over 65,000 square feet.  From the outset of the hearing it was clear that large retail establishments are part of the community.

The first commenter noted the convenience of being able to "drive within 15 minutes, get over to Costco or the mall or to Wal-Mart or any number of chain stores or local businesses."  Testimony continued with many people noting the integration of many large businesses into our community.

Unfortunately, there was an implication that those who shop at large retail stores are "bumpkins," as one commenter blatantly put it.  This led to Mayor Strickland reminding the audience that "when we talk about diversity, it can't be based on someone's ideology, but by being truly inclusive as a city...It means people have different habits."

Those supporting the moratorium also seemed to be focused on a proposed development including Wal-Mart.  As the City Attorney noted at the hearing, "the [Wal-Mart] application has been determined complete which triggers vesting.  So to the extent the planning commission process kicks out other regulations, they are likely not to impact this project."

The Chamber continued to advocate for ending the moratorium outright, as previously identified in its letter to the Planning Commission (here).  However, the Chamber also recognized the hard work the Planning Commission put into considering how to refine the moratorium to impact only new and substantially expanded buildings with the Mixed Use Centers - exactly where the testimony supporting the moratorium has been focused.

The Chamber asked the Council to consider the following if the moratorium was truly needed:
-Use the term "building" rather than the undefined "establishment" when talking about the building size.
-Maintain the new building and expansion thresholds of the Planning Commission while also raising the floor to allow buildings up to 100,000sf.
-Keep the moratorium at the original 6-mos.

"Yes on 1183" Promotes Chamber's Endorsement

Click on Image to Enlarge.

Regulations on the Floodplains

Meeting Notice

Propeller Club

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

5:30 Registration and Reception

6:30 Dinner and Program

La Quinta Inn

1425 E. 27^th, Tacoma 98421

RSVP:  Frank Morrow, 253-269-7624 or email frankm@pctrucking.net

RSVP requested by 3:00 p.m., Oct. 25

Price:  $25

Program: Property Owners for Sensible Floodplain Regulation (POSFR)

POSFR advocates for owners of properties in Washington State’s floodplains, representing their economic, legal and political interests in local, state and national forums on issues related to floodplain development and regulation.  

POSFR began in January 2011 as a spontaneous coming together of a small group of volunteers concerned about the imposition of the NFIP Biological Opinion on local jurisdictions without input from those most affected—property owners.  They understood that such regulations would have draconian economic consequences, particularly on the $7 billion of real estate in the Green River Valley.

Immediate Goals:

1. To bring public attention to the adverse economic impacts that may result from the imposition of overly restrictive development regulations on floodplain properties. 

2.     To engage the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA-Fisheries), Washington State, King County, local municipalities, and others to clarify and minimize to the extent appropriate the impact on property and economic development of the Biological Opinion issued by NOAA-Fisheries to FEMA regarding the operation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in the Puget Sound region. 

3. To aggressively represent property owners and businesses in the administrative and political debates surrounding the NFIP Biological Opinion and other floodplain issues in order to preserve property rights and the economic viability of properties located in the State’s floodplains. 

4. To bring legal action as needed on behalf of floodplain property owners.

FTAs Signing on Friday

On Friday, October 21st, President Obama will sign the Korea, Panama and Colombia Free Trade Agreements and the renewal of Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers in the Oval Office before making remarks in the Rose Garden. 

In his remarks, President Obama will underscore that these trade agreements will significantly boost American exports, support tens of thousands of American jobs and protect labor rights, the environment and intellectual property.  President Obama will be joined in the Rose Garden by business and labor leaders as well as workers who will benefit from these bills.

What Business Wants

What does business want in a new Tacoma City Manager?

This question, a prelude to Tacoma’s hunt for a new city manager, was posed at the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee by three Tacoma Councilmembers.

Visiting the committee were Councilmembers Jake Fey, Ryan Mello and Marty Campbell.  They asked Chamber members at the meeting their recommendations for desired characteristics the Tacoma Council should look for in its next City Manager.

Here’s a short recap of suggestions by the Chamber members:

Management Traits

Someone who:

• considers all the interests of the community.
• anticipates unintended consequences
• is adept at management
• understands customer relations management
• has ability to build a good team
• manages the expectations of change
• understands economic development attraction and retention
• carries a big picture
• partners
• considers good of the whole

Fiscal Perspective

Someone who:

• recognizes core city responsibilities
• willingly questions “nice to have”
• faces the reality of revenue limitations
• looks at different ways to accomplish tasks

The Councilmembers expressed their intent to hire the new city manager by the end of this year.  In that process, they would focus on what’s desired and look for opportunities to interact with the Chamber and other community groups.

University Place Candidates Talk Business at Chamber's Forum

As part of the Chamber’s University Place Candidates Forum held last night at Curtis High School, candidates for University Place City Council answered business focused questions.

Randy Walden, UP/Fircrest Division Chair, asked the candidates about development, business retention and priorities on the Council.

(l. to r. Kent Keel, Steve Smith, Ken Campbell, Chris Nye, Caroline Belleci, Howard Lee and emcee Randy Walden)

Placing business interests front and center with elected officials is important to the Chamber not only once candidates are elected, but also in determining who to support.

For information on these and other candidates, click here for the Chamber's Pierce County Voter's Guide.

Chamber Recommendations on Ballot Initiatives

The Chamber recommends support for I-1183 and opposition to I-1125 and I-1163.

Initiative 1183 (Concerning Beer, Wine, Spirits): SUPPORT
The Chamber supports Washington State Initiative 1183 proposing to close state liquor stores and sell their assets; license private parties to sell and distribute spirits; set license fees based on sales; regulate licensees; and change regulation of wine distribution.

Initiative 1183 would allow for the direct purchase of wine and liquor from manufacturers. The State would continue to regulate the industry as well as collect a license issuance fee of 17% plus $166 from retailers. In addition, distributor license fees would be collected at a variable rate. The Washington Office of Financial Management estimates State General Fund revenues would increase between $216 and $253 million over six years, not including the sale of existing state liquor stores.

Initiative 1125 (Concerning state expenditures on transportation): OPPOSE
The Chamber opposes Washington State Initiative 1125 proposing to prohibit the use of motor vehicle fund revenue and vehicle toll revenue for non-transportation purposes, and require that road and bridge tolls be set by the legislature and be project specific.

Chamber program Downtown On the Go’s Board of Directors endorses the “No on I-1125” campaign because I-1125 threatens current and planned transportation and transit projects, negatively impacts transportation demand management policies and funding mechanisms, and puts tolling rates in the hands of legislators rather than an rather than an independent commission of transportation experts. These actions threaten programs like Downtown On the Go and its work to ease congestion and improve mobility for all transportation users.

Tolls have been used more frequently by the state to fund a portion of costs for projects since the project is more directly and equitably funded by the users of the projects than other sources like gasoline or motor vehicle taxes.

Some of the projects that this initiative is intended to halt include the Vancouveer to Portland Columbia River Crossing, the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, and the Alaskan Way Viaduct, as well as Pierce County's own completion of SR-167.

By shifting the tolling setting authority from an independent body to the Legislature would increase the cost of bonds. The bonds secured by toll revenue would become prohibitively expensive and would be unprecedented nationally. This would reduce bonding capacity, and the ability to build future projects.

Initiative 1163 (Concerning long-term care workers and services for elderly and disabled people): OPPOSE
The Chamber opposes Washington State Initiative 1163 proposing to reinstate federal background checks, training and other requirements for long-term care workers and providers; and address financial accountability and administrative expenses of the long-term in-home care program.

In 2008, Washington State voters passed a law requiring federal background checks and more than twice as much training for long-term care workers. With the current budget constraints in Olympia, the Legislature suspended implementation of this law to impact workers hired on or after January 1, 2014. This initiative would move the implementation date forward to January 2012. In addition, the measure would require additional performance audits of the state's in-home care program as well as a 10% limitation on the state's expenditures towards administration.

The costs of this measure are estimated at $31.3 million over six years with $18.4 million of that being offset with additional revenue from the federal government. Without additional revenue options, this initiative will require funds to be secured from other sources and/or programs.