Req. #15-0486

RESOLUTION NO. 39187
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BY REQUEST OF MAYOR STRICKLAND

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A RESOLUTION establishing a 13-member task force, to be known as the
Tacoma Minimum Wage Task Force, for the purpose of reviewing minimum
wage alternatives in Tacoma, and submitting recommendations to the City
Council by June 30, 2015.

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WHEREAS 15 Now has proposed a ballot measure to increase the
minimum wage in the City of Tacoma to $15.00 per hour, effective January 2016,

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and
WHEREAS the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

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(“Chamber”) and members of the local business community believe it is too

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extreme, will hurt the local economy, and harm small businesses and workers,

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and have requested that the Mayor and City Council convene a group to propose

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an alternative to the 15 Now Initiative, and
WHEREAS, while Seattle’s economy is stronger, its cost of living is higher,

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and the median household income is 30 percent higher than Tacoma, its City

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Council opted to increase the minimum wage in phases over seven years, and

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WHEREAS, on January 1, 2016, Seattle’s minimum wage will be at $11.00

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per hour, which will be $4.00 per hour less than what is being proposed by the
15 Now Initiative in the City of Tacoma, and
WHEREAS, during the May 5, 2015, Study Session, the Mayor discussed
the Chamber’s request to establish a committee to convene and discuss
alternatives to the 15 Now Initiative and provide recommendations to the City

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Council by June 30, 2015, and

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 WHEREAS the Mayor is proposing a 13-member task force, with each
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Council Member nominating a City resident, preferably from their District, where
applicable, for consideration to the Task Force, said nominees to be

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geographically and culturally diverse to represent the entire Tacoma community,
and
WHEREAS the Task Force will also include four members representing
various business and citizen groups, to be selected by the Mayor, and
WHEREAS the Mayor is requesting that Council Members submit their

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nominations for the Task Force to the Mayor on or before May 8, 2015, to enable

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the Task Force to submit its recommendations by June 30, 2015, providing

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sufficient time for the City Council to consider the proposed recommendations

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prior to election deadlines; Now, Therefore,

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TACOMA:

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Section 1. That a 13-member task force, to be known as the Tacoma

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Minimum Wage Task Force (“Task Force”), is hereby established for the purpose

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of reviewing minimum wage alternatives in Tacoma, said Task Force to consist of

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one member nominated by each Council Member and four members nominated

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from various business and citizen groups, as selected by the Mayor.

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 Section 2. That the Task Force shall submit its recommendations to the
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City Council by June 30, 2015.

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Adopted

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Mayor
Attest:

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City Clerk

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Approved as to form:

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City Attorney

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