Pierce County Council honors former Tacoma mayor, councilmember

At its Sept. 22 meeting, the Pierce County Council remembered one of its own, former Pierce County Councilmember Harold Moss, who died on Sept. 21.

Moss, 90, was the first Black mayor of Tacoma, as well as the city’s first Black council member. He was known as a trailblazer and champion of civil rights.

The Pierce County Council released the following statement on Moss’s death: “The passing of Harold Moss is a huge loss for our community. Our community is stronger today because of Harold and his defense of civil rights, his devotion to civil service and his selflessness.

“Harold was a trailblazer who persevered against injustice and made history by becoming the first Black man on the Tacoma City Council in 1970, the first Black mayor of Tacoma in 1994 and the first Black member of the Pierce County Council in 1996, where he served as chair from 2002 to 2004,” the statement continued. “While serving in these elected capacities Harold held various leadership positions with numerous external agencies ranging from public transit and public health, to law enforcement, public safety and youth-focused organizations.

“Harold helped establish the Tacoma Urban League, the Black Collective and volunteered countless hours to mentor and support up-and-coming Black leaders in our community and across the region, helping them continue what he started so many decades ago.

“We are better today because of Harold, and although we are saddened he is no longer with us, we are confident his legacy will continue well into the future.”

In other business, the Pierce County Council passed an ordinance amending the Pierce County Code regarding definitions, zoning, and design standards and guidelines related to enhanced services facilities, which are defined as “a facility that provides support and services to persons for whom acute inpatient treatment is not medically necessary.”

Essentially, Ordinance No. 2020-91s does not allow for certain enhanced services facilities in urban single-family zones, while allowing enhanced services facilities in all rural residential and rural commercial zones.

The ordinance passed 5-2, with councilmembers Pam Roach and Marty Campbell voting no.

As well, the council passed Proposal No. R2020-88, authorizing the submittal of grant applications to the Pierce County Flood Control Zone District for funding assistance through the Flood Risk Reduction and Watershed Management Economic Stimulus Grant Program.

Plans call for grants to help aid in financing the Huge Creek culvert replacement at 160th St. NW, the Diru Creek bank stabilization at 72nd St. E. and the Rody Creek channel stabilization near 80th St. E.

Finally, the council passed Proposal No. R2020-87, a resolution proclaiming Sept. 22, 2020, as “Falls Prevention Awareness Day” in Pierce County.