An ad hoc committee created to research options for Tacoma’s 110-year-old totem pole should have been treated as an open meeting – including advance public notice – based on a pair of state court decisions.

The committee, formed by Tacoma historic preservation officer Reuben McKnight and arts administrator Amy McBride, included two of the 11 members of the city Landmarks Commission. It also included city staffers from public works and planning as well as a consultant, Native American carver Sean Peterson.

The group recommended that the historic pole be taken down rather than restored and laid to decompose in a …

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A new task force is in place and will begin scheduling public meetings soon to discuss issues related to adult homelessness in Puyallup, according to city spokeswoman Melanie Harding.

On Tuesday night, the Puyallup City Council confirmed appointments to a new citizens group tasked with reviewing issues related to homelessness and its impacts on citizens and businesses in the city.

The six-member committee will look at a variety of focus questions and, with the help of a facilitator, work to identify solutions to key issues.

Members will approach the issue from a variety of perspectives.

Zac Green and Patrick McGregor …

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Two harbor seals at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium are pregnant and expecting pups next month.

Q, a 14-year-old who came to Tacoma from Seattle Aquarium last year as part of a breeding program, fathered pups with Qilak and Shila.

Gestation periods for harbor seals range from nine to 11 months, with only one pup born each year.

This is the first time Q has fathered pups.

On Tuesday, Q and 28-year-old Barney were sent home to Seattle Aquarium, which just finished renovations on its seal exhibit. It’s scheduled to open in June.

Accompanying them was a female seal from …

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The Puyallup City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday night to approve an ordinance that eliminates the usage rate surcharge to water utility customers living outside the city limits.

Nonresidents receiving water service from the city of Puyallup have paid a 50-percent higher rate than city residents.

The surcharge was imposed as a way to offset the difference in cost to provide service to those customers, which some council members say was justified based on state case law.

City Manager Bill McDonald had recommended the city postpone the vote in order to gather more data regarding the cost differences, but a majority …

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Pierce County ferry riders in large vehicles are being urged to plan ahead for low tides, which could affect service and result in load limits.

Restrictions could be put in place at various times from Wednesday to May 29.

Here’s the county’s news release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2013

Low tides will affect Pierce County ferry service May 22-29

Pierce County ferry riders in large vehicles – such as an RV, commercial truck or a vehicle towing a trailer – should plan ahead to avoid low tides from May 22-29. Load restrictions will be in place

…

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Here’s the rundown of how the city council races in communities in west Pierce County shape up after Friday’s deadline for filing week.

Lakewood

Four candidates filed to run for the lone open seat on the Lakewood City Council, while the three incumbents up for election remain unchallenged.

Don Daniels, chairman of the city Planning Advisory Board; Ria Johnson, a social worker; Bryan Thomas, chairman of the city Public Safety Advisory Committee; and John Simpson, a history teacher at Pierce County, all put their name in for the Position 5 seat.

They all applied for appointment to the seat that …

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Several East Pierce County cities and towns could experience a leadership shake-up after the November election, as a number of mayor positions are up for grabs and others have attracted challengers.

Election season started this week as candidates officially filed with the Pierce County Auditor’s Office for races in the Aug. 6 primary and the Nov. 5 general election.

Cities and towns with outgoing mayors include Puyallup, Orting, Eatonville and Edgewood. Incumbent mayors in Sumner, Bonney Lake and Milton all will face challengers.

In Eatonville, four candidates filed to run for mayor after Ray Harper opted not to seek a …

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Incumbent Councilman John Leggett will face a challenger for Council Position 3, according to the Pierce County elections website.

Marvin Sundstrom filed Friday to run for the City Council seat.

Incumbent council member Cristi Boyle Barrett is running unopposed for Council Position 2, and Nora (Lyn) Rose has filed to run for the open Council Position 1.

Incumbent Mayor Pat Johnson is running unopposed for re-election.

Kari Plog: 253-597-8682
kari.plog@thenewstribune.com
@KariPlog