A look at City of Tacoma news for the week of July 10, 2011

Downtown parking pay station system report leads study session
At its July 12 study session, City Council is scheduled to receive an update from the Parking Management Advisory Task Force on Tacoma’s downtown on-street paid parking system, including an overview of the pay station system, key elements to its success, ongoing management adjustments and future work elements. The Council will not take public comment during the noon study session in the Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St., Room 16. Audio from the session will be broadcast live on TV Tacoma and on www.tvtacoma.com. On-demand audio archives are available on the Web within 24 hours of the meeting at www.tvtacoma.com.
Contact: Karrie Spitzer, Community Relations, karrie.spitzer@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5790

Billboard moratorium subject of hearing and ordinance first reading
City Council members are scheduled July 12 to hold a public hearing at approximately 5:30 p.m. for comments on the moratorium on accepting applications for the installation, erection, construction, replacement, modification or improvement of static or changing electronic, digital or changeable message billboards in all zoning districts. Council is also scheduled to hear the first reading of an ordinance to adopt findings of facts to justify the retention of the emergency moratorium, and to amend the moratorium to exempt vested applications for billboard application permits and applications for repair of existing billboards for implementation of safety improvements mandated by state or federal standards.
Contact: Rob McNair-Huff, Community Relations, Robert.mcnair-huff@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5054

Council scheduled to consider City Manager employment agreement
The City Council is scheduled during its July 12 meeting to consider accepting the 2011 Performance Evaluation of the City Manager and reconfirming the appointment of Eric Anderson as the City Manager through an employment agreement for the period of July 16, 2011, through December 31, 2012.
Contact: Rob McNair-Huff, Community Relations, Robert.mcnair-huff@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5054

Old Town Blues, Out in the Park and Art on the Ave this weekend
Old Town, Downtown and Sixth Avenue will host a series of events this weekend, kicking off with the Bluesberry Pancake Breakfast July 9 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Slavonian Hall in Old Town, 2306 N. 30th St. Learn more at www.oldtownbusinessdistrict.com. From noon to midnight, the Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival 2011 takes place at a series of venues in the Old Town Business District. Learn more at www.tacomaoldtownbluesfest.net.

Out in the Park – Tacoma’s Gay Pride Festival hits the streets of downtown Tacoma July 9 from noon to 6 p.m. on Broadway between South 9th and South 11th streets in the Theater District. Learn more at www.outintacoma.com.

The weekend wraps up July 10 with Art on the Ave from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Sixth Avenue Business District between Cedar and Trafton streets. Learn more at www.on6thave.com.
Contact: Rob McNair-Huff, Community Relations, Robert.mcnair-huff@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5054

City Council standing committee meetings this week
Economic Development Committee
July 12, 3 p.m. in Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St., Room 248

Joint Environment and Public Works Committee & Sustainable Tacoma Commission
July 13, 4:30 p.m. in Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St., Room 16

Public Safety, Human Services & Education Committee
July 14, 4:30 p.m. in Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St., Room 248

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