Council Schedule Highlights Week of September 16th, 2019
Monday, September 16th, 2019
1:30 pm Community Development Committee
Derek Young, Chair
Dave Morell, Vice Chair
Marty Campbell
Jim McCune
Douglas G. Richardson
Regularly scheduled meetings are broadcast live and replayed on channel 22 (Comcast and Click! Network) and channel 20 (Rainier Connect). Access meeting materials at www.piercecountywa.org/councilcommittees.
Proposal №2019–71, Planning and Public Works Department Duties — Efficiency And Sustainability Programs
Sponsored by: Councilmember Derek Young
Earlier this year my bill creating a Sustainability Division failed on a 3–3 vote. We’re trying a slightly different approach to accomplish the same goal.
Rather than establishing a new division, this proposal assigns the functions to the Planning and Public Works department but leaves the specifics of fulfilling the objectives to the director and County Executive.
It’s a compromise, but at least we’ll have someone accountable to the goals of our sustainability plan and climate adaptation.
Read more on the bill here. https://online.co.pierce.wa.us/cfapps/council/iview/proposal.cfm?proposal_num=2019-71
To contact the Council and urge their support, use this form. https://www.piercecountywa.gov/FormCenter/County-Council-19/Pierce-County-CouncilContact-Us-new-212
Tuesday, September 17th, 2019
9:30 am Human Services Committee
Connie Ladenburg, Chair
Marty Campbell, Vice Chair
Douglas G. Richardson
Dave Morell
Derek Young
Regularly scheduled meetings are broadcast live and replayed on channel 22 (Comcast and Click! Network) and channel 20 (Rainier Connect). Access meeting materials at www.piercecountywa.org/councilcommittees.
Human Services Department Study
Presenters: Wolfgang Opitz, Deputy Director, Finance Department
Erin Henderlight, Senior Advisor, Public Consulting Group
Last year we funded a study to examine the practices of our Human Services Department to look for ways to improve outcomes and stretch resources. This was an important process because the department has very little local funding and relies mostly on grants, so it tends to get less attention in the budget cycle.
They provide critical services to our most vulnerable populations like veterans, seniors, children, and people living with behavioral health disorders or disabilities.
In comparing services to our peers, one recommendation that you’ve seen me mentioned a number of times is the .01% for behavioral health.
“Comparable counties have moved to access additional funding via tax levy (the “0.1% Mental Health tax levy”). These funds have provided counties with an additional $10–15M in funds per year to provide new services or to replace lost federal funds. Moves to enact a similar levy in Pierce County have been politically difficult and unsuccessful in the past. It is worth noting, however, that there are tremendous opportunities through this levy to fund a wide array of services at a level well beyond what the county would be able to provide from grants or general funds.”
Here’s a snapshot of their nine recommendations or you can read the rest of the report here.
Rapid Rehousing Program Overview
Presenter: Anne Marie Edmunds, Social Service Program Specialist, Human Services Department
Rapid Rehousing is graduated, short-term financial assistance and service supports in market-rate, permanent housing. The idea, as opposed to traditional programs for homelessness is, as the name suggests, immediately getting people into homes rather than cycling through shelter and transitional housing.
Landlord Liaison Program Overview
Presenter: Anne Marie Edmunds, Social Service Program Specialist, Human Services
This program is new to Pierce County. It’s designed to give assurances to landlords so they’ll more willing to accept applicants who may have some issues causing them to be screened out.
6:00 pm Council Meeting — Note the special time and location
Tehaleh Heights Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room
17520 Berkeley Parkway East Bonney Lake, Washington
(Council District №1)
Regularly scheduled meetings are broadcast live and replayed on channel 22 (Comcast and Click! Network) and channel 20 (Rainier Connect). Access meeting materials at www.piercecountywa.org/councilcommittees.
This is the in-district meeting for District 1. Here’s what’s on tap.
- Tehaleh Update — Scott Jones, Newland Communities
- Economic Development Presentation — Chris Leier, Teeter
- Mayor Updates — District №1 Cities and Towns
- Parks and Recreation Video Presentation — Councilmember Morell
My Weekly Calendar
A couple of years ago we got a request for my forward-looking calendar. Rather than have staff waste their time on public record requests, I decided to publish screenshots. Now I’m adding a link to the calendar as well. If you have questions, feel free to call. Keep in mind, my schedule isn’t static. Things will get added, deleted, changed, etc. There are conflicts that I have to pick between. But if people want to see where I’m at and who I meet with, that’s fine by me.
