[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6078474,"mediaKeyId","2959530-fe22bd5ef0bef884b7c1103cc9e3e2d5","parentId",2959530,"title","Council adopts salary ordinance formalizing wage schedule included in recently ratified contract","audioSeconds",228,"startMs",15508000,"endMs",15736000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959530-fe22bd5ef0bef884b7c1103cc9e3e2d5&start=15508&end=15736","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959530-fe22bd5ef0bef884b7c1103cc9e3e2d5/thumbnail_15508000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078474/Gig-Harbor/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-adopts-salary-ordinance-formalizing-wage-schedule-included-in-recently-ratified-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078474-f61b9a936ae4566c1a7b0f66768db078/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152499&Signature=Igppr1R6IYTA9RFjVZ~n-mIczU~9au0FMYAzv2Vzd27ry9OXzCQJFalsC5t9HVaPU4kkNQ7nEDKOdndF6y8rvRf5~D5DJ0aXCtXPQVf5maksIpu7vG-ffrMlsv8FXyYyn3-oa0VsEpw~XMUTTq~aU~yIijBt2shw1LB5sofPDgbSvoZWDr-pbaqmL8PsnaYkOumNU0Ok8-riC7MDPgGkFeIfh9~Vd0dZ88CKMJ0MpvaWXm7Z7Tmw8kG-zYrDDLokqgl98~Vi-wjU~kp4EvsLyaCas8V138Wgf54jF3jeWogpc26bByUyIHTVYlMXlXSNZARi9jX6sAqT7y8QmiN0dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gig Harbor City, WA","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Gig Harbor City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 15‑36 on March 24, formalizing the city’s updated personnel salary schedule and incorporating wage changes included in a recently ratified collective bargaining agreement.

Human Resources Director Shannon Costanti told council the salary schedule in the ordinance reflects terms already adopted in the supervisors’ collective bargaining agreement and includes the reclassification of the public works superintendent to assistant public works director, a position that is unrepresented and therefore included directly on the wage schedule.

Why it matters: The ordinance codifies compensation changes the council previously authorized by adopting the labor contract as part of the consent agenda. The action updates pay rates and a reclassified position so payroll and budget records align with the negotiated agreement.

Motion and vote

Council Member Jenny Wouk moved to approve Ordinance 15‑36; Council Member Henderson seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 7–0.

Ending: The ordinance will be administered by the city’s human resources and finance departments as described in the staff report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gig Harbor, WA City Council Meeting - March 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council approved Ordinance 15-36, updating the municipal salary schedule to reflect a recently adopted collective bargaining agreement and the reclassification of a public works position.","taxTitle","Gig Harbor, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",60969,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078479,"Council rejects license‑plate reader contract after hours of public testimony and debate",5115,10404000,15519000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959530-fe22bd5ef0bef884b7c1103cc9e3e2d5&start=10404&end=15519","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959530-fe22bd5ef0bef884b7c1103cc9e3e2d5/thumbnail_10404000.jpg","/articles/6078479/Gig-Harbor/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-rejects-licenseplate-reader-contract-after-hours-of-public-testimony-and-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078479-10d0a920b58ebb2c537ad6d87d89c4ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152499&Signature=l42CSnfsCVIRVNcolMwhZgYxIC8Nff1f1XWV1oXOmna4jP79yChTkytY7rY6zPY90kkpNNTDD9Yq18w82e5RZv0IMQjkO4M8Qu2lJG3fUUAHMWRUV8qXIB11O~RAQ2Xpwt6hiTFs95l2f2M3t8GnIVJguTSp-QVLh1XiC9iONQ~yKRsxGw5XUo3SGovbUCOF8SyLIQB0M~Y0OJCvZnTBkt0Mmuntfzhkk8mT-ux1n~bwKzwCizv2wOJy7sVMWURMv8sH2Kyf4nkQc9z-UDYKd2R35nwyGAEOkeAyWRbRWRf0uLLcueIYpqjl4IsaKpleWHdFENQJYGSW~qjXIEg1hA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gig Harbor City Council considered a police proposal March 24 to install automated license‑plate reader (ALPR) cameras at the city’s ingress and egress points but voted against authorizing the contract after more than an hour of public comment and council deliberation.

Chief Kelly Busey told the council the department sought the system as a crime‑fighting tool and had secured a Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority grant that would cover installation and the first year of cloud storage. “License plate readers are a series of cameras that would be installed, within the ingress and egress points of Gig Harbor,” Busey said during his staff report. He described two uses: real‑time alerts when a passing plate matches a stolen vehicle or the department’s internal “hot list,” and reactive searches to trace suspect vehicles as part of an investigation.

Why it mattered: The proposal drew intense public scrutiny. Supporters — including retail loss‑prevention investigators — said ALPRs help solve and prevent organized retail theft, stolen‑vehicle crime and violent offending by rapidly locating suspect vehicles. Opponents — including survivors‑advocates, civil‑liberties speakers and many residents — warned of privacy risks, data sharing and potential misuse of location records.

Public testimony and questions

Speakers against deployment pressed privacy, retention and sharing concerns: they cited potential public‑records requests, federal access, the possibility of misuse by agency staff, and the chilling effect on people exercising rights such as attending demonstrations or seeking confidential services. Several speakers referenced out‑of‑state incidents and pending litigation in other jurisdictions as reasons to pause.

Speakers in favor described operational successes they said ALPR networks had produced elsewhere. Retail investigators described faster suspect identification, rapid response to known vehicles and case closures when fleet or retail cameras are networked with law enforcement.

Council deliberation and outcome

Councilors split along lines reflecting public testimony and the absence of unanimity in the community. Supporters noted immediate operational benefits and the grant funding; opponents highlighted unresolved policy questions including data retention, whether federal or out‑of‑state agencies could gain access, audit procedures, and how a local opt‑out or shutdown would work in practice.

A motion to authorize the mayor to sign the master services agreement with Flock Safety (mover: Council Member Rodenberg; seconder: Council Member Coronado) failed on a roll call vote, 2–5.

What happens next: Chief Busey told council the department would evaluate the feedback. The grant that underpinned the installation has timing constraints, but the council declined to accept the contract as presented. Busey advised that the department could rework policy language, data‑sharing limitations and retention terms before bringing a revised proposal back for council consideration.

Ending: The council’s vote leaves the department without the proposed ALPR network. The department and council indicated they would continue conversations about alternatives and safeguards for any future proposal.","After a presentation and lengthy public comment that split residents and retailers, Gig Harbor City Council voted 2–5 against authorizing a master services agreement for automated license‑plate readers from Flock Safety.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078483,"Council advances draft comprehensive plan after hours of public comment; limits new density near Henderson-Burnham",5614,1143000,6757000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959530-fe22bd5ef0bef884b7c1103cc9e3e2d5&start=1143&end=6757","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959530-fe22bd5ef0bef884b7c1103cc9e3e2d5/thumbnail_1143000.jpg","/articles/6078483/Gig-Harbor/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-advances-draft-comprehensive-plan-after-hours-of-public-comment-limits-new-density-near-Henderson-Burnham","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078483-73743a83af36f21d82bb0ba558bf9a89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152499&Signature=iipABuK-HBmYc2LqaaFdGHw5x9YEs4YJpa83bNNfoMqrHee0OEyhHbXeWME3EaOazcu6u9aE6F4nBku-YKec2tZeckl5U02xlY3HkhgC3tfUUQmVU4BN6k59k0RKs2fsXahsB4MlRYoLSe8OYU7v2IHpgvV1ICJ583qwWO6H4JOW~KXQE1JT1hHP6X9UjNB029wbQGd5WslEAivlW0jI~o-OmjpCRSvPjY3l0FOpYNqhLhQkgFXmydVPrv3BDapGwW7iX-x8sfIdwFFox0y1aWGMgdD0UJ0dbh7g8Cxdexwixl4-mK-~AxytIqHMngXZCPtZMqAtPcC7T59I47qvfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gig Harbor City Council heard a staff presentation and extensive public testimony March 24 before approving several amendments to the draft comprehensive plan that will be incorporated into a revised document for second reading and final adoption on April 14.

The council’s discussion followed a staff report from Community Development Director Eric Baker, who described the comprehensive plan as “what the city wants to be when it grows up,” a 20-year roadmap required under the state Growth Management Act and guided by regional plans and countywide policies. Baker said the draft accommodates state-mandated housing targets, infrastructure needs and a forthcoming climate element, and that subsequent actions would include updates to the zoning map, development regulations and the city’s critical areas ordinance.

Why it matters: The comprehensive plan sets land-use policy and the map that will guide future zoning and development rules. The public hearing centered on a proposed change that would allow much higher residential density on a 13-acre property near 112th Street and Burnham Avenue, a change neighbors said would worsen traffic, reduce neighborhood character and strain schools and emergency access.

Council action and key details

- Council moved to designate the parcel adjacent to Henderson Bay as Residential Medium (6–12 dwelling units per acre) for the draft comprehensive plan; the amendment, proposed by Council Member Jenny Wouk and seconded by Council Member Coronado, passed by roll call 6–0 with Council Member Stone recorded as an abstention. Staff noted the land-use designation change will be carried forward into follow-on zoning and development-regulation work.

- The council voted unanimously (7–0) to remove the properties west of State Route 16 from the Gig Harbor North “center of local importance” designation, leaving only the east side of the highway included.

- The council also approved (6–1) an amendment to raise the target residential density for C‑1 commercial business areas from 32 to 38 dwelling units per acre; the motion was moved by Council Member Rodenberg and seconded by Council Member Coronado.

- Council approved (6–1) removing the word “vertical” from two places in the draft policy language so that mixed-use areas can include residential development without mandating that housing be built over ground-floor retail.

- Staff and council also agreed to convert three parcels on Burnham Drive from “mixed use” to an employment-center designation to reflect existing uses; that change passed unanimously.

Public testimony and concerns

Dozens of speakers — including many residents of Henderson Bay Estates and adjacent neighborhoods — urged the council to retain lower-density land use at the 112th/Burnham site. Abby Davis, a homeowner near the site, told council, “Changing it now to a much higher density will have significant and lasting consequences for the surrounding community.” Neighbors consistently cited: proximity to roundabouts on State Route 16 and associated congestion; lack of safe pedestrian connections and bus service; potential impacts on school capacity; and compatibility with the existing single-family neighborhoods.

Developers and property owners speaking in favor of greater density argued for more housing choices near services and transit and said some Gig Harbor parcels are appropriate for attached housing and townhomes. John Homas and Carol Holmes described a site they own in Westside that they said has sidewalks, nearby grocery and medical services, and access to transit; they suggested it could support denser, small-footprint housing with structured parking.

Staff clarifications and next steps

Baker said the comprehensive plan is a “what” document; the zoning map and development regulations are the “how” and will be revised through 2025. He noted the state’s housing guidance attaches expected housing types to income bands and that the Department of Commerce and countywide planning policies inform local choices. He also warned that updates such as the critical areas ordinance and the climate element could change buffers or permit requirements and that zoning updates will need to be consistent with capital facilities and environmental analyses.

The council left the public hearing open for additional comment and instructed staff to incorporate the council’s amendments into the draft. The revised comprehensive plan will return for a second reading and final vote at the April 14 council meeting.

Ending: Council members and staff emphasized the plan remains a draft and that many technical follow-up items — zoning map updates, development regulations and a critical areas update — will be required before new development rules take effect.","Gig Harbor City Council held a public hearing on a 20-year comprehensive plan update and approved several amendments to the draft map and policies after extensive public testimony focused on a proposed density increase near 112th Street and Burnham Avenue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts salary ordinance formalizing wage schedule included in recently ratified contract

Council rejects license‑plate reader contract after hours of public testimony and debate

Council advances draft comprehensive plan after hours of public comment; limits new density near Henderson-Burnham