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Resident asks for explanation of $12M multifamily exemption and questions pause of Environmental Services Commission
Summary
Keith Burns told the committee he wants clarity on how multifamily tax exemptions are awarded — citing a $12 million exemption — and asked why the Environmental Services Commission was "paused" by the director rather than by the commission itself; he also said meeting minutes haven't been posted since last June.
Keith Burns, who said he has lived in Tacoma for 33 years, used the committee's public comment period Feb. 3 to urge the council to explain two items he said should be resolved before the committee: multifamily tax-exemption criteria and apparent administrative action to pause the Environmental Services Commission.
Burns said he told the council previously that a project he identified as the State of Way Apartments received a $12,000,000 tax exemption and that he did not understand the justification. He also said the Environmental Services Commission appears to have been "paused" by the department director and that four meetings were canceled last year; he argued the commission itself should decide to pause or adopt changes because its role is oversight.
Burns asked why the commission's meeting minutes had not been posted since last June and said he had volunteered to serve on the commission but was told he did not qualify on the basis of district representation and housing focus. Committee staff said public comments can be submitted to the committee and a staff member offered to follow up and brief members on the status of the Environmental Services Commission.
The committee did not take action on the points raised during public comment; staff said they would follow up with relevant departments.
