Dear Friends,

This week’s Council meeting was somewhat of a monopoly for our district. It happened that we didn’t have any policy ordinances, but we did pay tribute to parents by proclaiming February as National Parent Leadership Month. Communities across the country honor and celebrate parents throughout the month of February, which has been designated National Parent Leadership Month (NPLM). National Parent Leadership Month was initiated by Parents Anonymous^® as an opportunity to show appreciation for parents who work to improve the lives of their families, neighbors, and communities. Thank you Marcus, Gretchen and, Sharon for speaking on the importance of parents and families, and a special thanks to all who carry the title of “parent”. It’s the toughest job of all and our future depends on your children!

We also passed the ever-popular proposal R2023-12s to solidify our opposition to greenfield airports in Pierce County. Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (CACC) non-voting member Warren Hendrickson was present via zoom and will share it at the next CACC meeting in March. The Resolution also supported the new bill dropped by Representatives Fey and Dent, HB 1791. It has been scheduled for a hearing February 16 at 4 p.m. If you wish to track the bill and/or make comments, click on the bill’s link and you will see in the upper right part of the page how to participate. If you want to let the committee know your position (preferred), go to Participating in a Committee Hearing. You can choose to testify, send a message or note your support or opposition. This is a House Bill in the House Transportation Committee for the February 16 meeting.  It really is easy to navigate this process.

On another note, our County Council is in the process of reviewing policies, procedures, codes and about everything else that affects your waking life…how you travel, shop, garden, think, build or in other words, participate in life. This is a budget year, so we will be taking an in-depth review of our agencies as we create the budget for the next biennium—2024-2025. For a reference, check out the 22-23 budget here. 

This year I serve on the Community Development and Human Services Committees. Both committees entail big ticket responsibilities. I review our policies through the lens of providing the services you expect from your government alongside the cumulative (federal, state & local) effect of the taxes you currently pay. I’m not hearing anyone ask for higher taxes. 

Of great importance to follow are the updates by Planning and Public Works to the Comprehensive Plan. This plan articulates what you can and cannot do with your property and how the County will grow. It incorporates and aligns state laws with local laws and the goals determined by the County. Briefings and updates on the Comp Plan are held in the Community Development Committee.  Planning and Public Works is also willing to give presentations on the Comp Plan to interested groups through their Public Participation Program. Zoom technology has been helpful in sharing knowledge.

The Human Services Committee may go under a title change by adding Health. I’m sure you’ve noticed how interested the government is in your personal health. While I believe you are quite capable of caring for yourself on a daily basis, there are many health-related government assisted programs available for you through Human Services and The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD). 

Social Change Partners, LLC presented in this week’s Human Services meeting on a unified regional approach to end homelessness. I’m a bit concerned as it advocated for adding another regional independent agency in the County, similar to the Health Department, Clean Air Agency, Puget Sound Regional Council, where your elected representation is diminished. 

If you’ve noticed the phrase “creating social change” a lot, I would love some feedback on what it means to you.

Always grateful!