11/9/09 Community Group News

(2) Subject: TNT article on funding for Illegal Signs clean-up
From: Stacy Emerson <stacy.emerson@gmail.com>

Pierce council pays for another year of illegal sign crackdown

Posted By David Wickert on November 9, 2009 at 2:01 pm


It looks like a deal to enforce Pierce County sign laws will continue for another year.

The County Council this morning approved a provision for its 2010 budget that requires the public works department to spend at least $70,000 but no more than $100,000 for a countywide sign enforcement program.

Sign code enforcement has been a matter of much interest for the council. Two years ago the council paid for a pilot program to remove signs that clutter roadsides in unincorporated Pierce County. The program proved to be successful and popular. But the public works department stopped countywide enforcement sweeps, citing tight budgets and questions about how to enforce the law.

As a result, sign clutter returned. The News Tribune last May found dozens of illegal signs posted at intersections across the county.

The council and County Executive Pat McCarthy later reached a deal on enforcement. Crews visit the worst intersections monthly and sweep the busiest arterial roads each quarter.

This morning’s budget provision continues funding for that deal for 2010. The council is expected to finalize the budget Tuesday afternoon.

To make comments on this article- or to read the comments already posted, click here.

(3) From: Mike Galizio <mgalizi@CO.PIERCE.WA.US> (A) (B)
 Subject: FW: County Budget process in home stretch

Fyi

From: PC_Council
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 3:05 PM
To: PC_Council
Subject: Budget process in home stretch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 9, 2009

One more day of hearings remains before the Pierce County Council adopts its final 2010 county budget tomorrow, Nov. 10.

Much work will be done before then. Today at 9 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m., the council’s Committee of the Whole will meet to forward the remaining budget ordinances to the full council. In between those hearings, the council will conduct its weekly Rules and Operations Committee meeting at 11 a.m. and Monday Study Session at 11:30 a.m.

The public is invited to testify on any of the budget proposals being considered, both at today’s committee hearings and at the council meeting tomorrow at 3 p.m. For the latest list of proposals, hearing schedule and information, visit www.piercecountywa.gov/pc/abtus/ourorg/council/budget.htm.

All meetings are in the Council Chambers (930 Tacoma Ave. S., Room 1045) in Tacoma and broadcast live on Pierce County TV (channel 22), and also streamed live and archived at www.piercecountytv.org.


CONTACT: Brad Chatfield, Council Communications Manager, 253-798-6626

(B) Subject: FW: Tacoma City Council to review Complete Streets Guidelines

From: Barnett, Elliott [ mailto:elliott.barnett@ci.tacoma.wa.us]
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 4:53 PM
To: Barnett, Elliott
Subject: City Council to review Complete Streets Guidelines

After close to two years in development, the City’s Complete Streets Design Guidelines are now headed for City Council review. On November 17^th, a resolution endorsing Tacoma’s Complete Streets Design Guidelines, and specifically the Mixed-use Centers Guidelines and Residential Guidelines, is scheduled for Council consideration.

The Guidelines are a comprehensive Complete Streets approach tailored to Tacoma. The objectives are to design, build and maintain streets that safely, comfortably and appropriately accommodate all users and transportation modes; foster a sense of place in the public realm; and, reduce environmental impacts when feasible. The Guidelines set a framework to achieve these objectives, add cost-effective tools to the City’s toolbox, and identify implementation steps. The final draft Guidelines incorporate changes identified through the extensive public input received on the previously released public review drafts.

As the Guidelines move forward, it is timely to again thank everyone who has participated for your contributions. There has been a great deal of interest and enthusiasm for addressing these issues.

The City Council Review Drafts, along with background information, are available online at www.cityoftacoma.org/planning, select Complete Streets Design Guidelines Project. Attached to this email is a one page project summary.

Elliott D. Barnett, AICP, Urban Planner
Planning Division
747 Market Street, Room 1036
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 591-5389
fax 591-2002

 Complete Streets Project Summary 11-06-09.pdf