Tacoma City Council Special Meeting on Charter Amendments - June 7, 2024

This was a special meeting of the Tacoma City Council held on June 7, 2024, from 11:00 AM to approximately 5:30 PM, focused on reviewing and discussing numerous proposed charter amendments from the Charter Review Committee (CRC) and council members. The council deliberated on each item, often debating whether changes should be placed in the charter, handled by ordinance, or addressed through other means. Key decisions included advancing some amendments to the ballot, referring others to committees, or setting them aside for further work.

Discussion Items

1. Charter Review Committee Recommendation #5 – Charter Review Process (Duration & Requirements)

• The council discussed whether to amend the charter to require a longer review process (at least 6 months), legal review, and fiscal analysis. Many members preferred to achieve these goals through resolution or ordinance rather than amending the charter. The consensus was to not proceed with this charter amendment, but to have staff report back on other ways to address the concerns.

2. Proposed New Section – Neighborhood Councils (#6)

• The proposal would establish neighborhood and community councils in the charter. Council members expressed concerns about placing independent nonprofits in the charter, potential legal implications, and the need for flexibility. The council decided not to move this forward as a charter amendment, but to commit to strengthening neighborhood councils through the ongoing municipal code review.

3. Proposed New Section – Campaign Finance (#20)

• This permissive language would allow the city to enact campaign contribution limits and create a democracy voucher program. The council leaned toward not placing it in the charter, but instead referred the topic to the Government Performance and Finance Committee (GPFC) for further study, with a possible future vote of the people.

4. Planning Commission (#14)

• The council discussed increasing the commission from 9 to 11 members, removing specific seat requirements, and eliminating the prohibition on pay. The consensus was to advance this amendment to the ballot, but with modifications: increase to 11 members, keep the five district seats, remove the list of specific expertise requirements, and retain the strikeout of the no-pay clause.

5. New Section – Climate Commission (#9)

• This proposal would establish a carbon budget and a new climate commission. The council debated whether to include it in the charter. Some members supported only the carbon budget section, while others opposed the commission. No final decision was made; Councilmembers Daniels and Scott agreed to work on an amendment to potentially bring forward a more targeted version.

6. Council Proposed Amendments (C1-C5)

• C1 (Council Meetings): Advanced to ballot with language requiring at least 70 meetings per year.
• C2 (TPU Board Member Qualifications) & C3 (TPU Board Member Stipends): Presented by Councilmember Bushnell; no further changes, moved forward.
• C4 (Sale or Disposition of Waterfront Property): Presented by Councilmember Rumba. Discussion focused on limiting sales to public agencies with perpetual public access, recreation, education, or habitat preservation. Councilmembers raised concerns about excluding affordable housing. It was agreed to work on amendments to potentially include open space or housing language.
• C5 (Initiative Fiscal Notes): Presented by Councilmember Rumba. The council generally supported the idea, but debated whether it needed to be in the charter. It was decided to move it forward without further discussion.

7. Amendments to CRC Recommendations (#2B, #12B, #13B, #18B)

• 2B (Term Limits): The council discussed changing term limits to three consecutive full terms for mayor and council. Concern was raised about applying it to current members. The item was tabled for further work on language and applicability.
• 12B (Purposes of Inquiry – Council) & 18B (Purposes of Inquiry – TPU): These amendments reframe the language in a positive manner. The council approved them to move forward.
• 13B (City Attorney): This amendment would require council approval for the city manager to remove the city attorney. After debate, the council decided to move it forward as is.

8. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) – Presentation and Discussion

• Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer and Elections Manager Kyle Hawk presented on the history of RCV in Pierce County (2008-2009) and current state law. They noted that RCV in primaries would be possible but costly (estimated $2.147 million annually). The council discussed the high cost, voter education challenges, and state law limitations. No decision was made; the item will be revisited on Tuesday, June 11, when absent members are present.

Key Outcomes

• Charter Review Process (#5): Will not be a charter amendment; staff to report on alternative methods.
• Neighborhood Councils (#6): Not advanced as charter amendment; commitment to improve via municipal code review.
• Campaign Finance (#20): Referred to GPFC for further study.
• Planning Commission (#14): Advanced to ballot with modifications (11 members, remove specific expertise, keep no-pay strike).
• Climate Commission (#9): No final decision; Councilmembers Daniels and Scott to draft an amendment.
• C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 (Council Proposed): C1, C2, C3, C5 advanced to ballot; C4 will have amendments from two groups.
• Term Limits (#2B): Tabled for further language work.
• Purposes of Inquiry (#12B, #18B) and City Attorney (#13B): Advanced to ballot.
• Ranked Choice Voting (#19): Discussion deferred to next meeting.
• Deadlines: All amendments must be submitted by June 17; final public hearing on July 2.