OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting – June 11, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, June 11, 2024
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 11, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

I'd like to call the order of the city council meeting of June 11th, 2024.

0:12

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:15

Councilmember Bushnell, absent.

0:17

Councilmember Daniels?

0:18

Here.

0:19

Councilmember Diaz.

0:20

Here.

0:21

Deputy Mayor Hines.

0:22

Here.

0:22

Councilmember Rumba.

0:24

Here.

0:24

Councilmember Scott.

0:25

Here.

0:26

Councilmember Walker.

0:28

Here.

0:28

Mayor Woodards.

0:30

Here.

0:38

Okay.

0:39

Please join me in listening to the land acknowledgement and the flag salute led by Councilman Rumbaugh, followed by a moment of silence.

0:46

We gratefully acknowledge and honor, we gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the PUALA people where they make their home and speak the Lashutsi language.

0:56

Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence.

1:36

All right.

1:39

Agenda modifications.

1:40

Are there any modifications of the agenda this evening?

1:42

Seeing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda.

1:45

Move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolution number 4143.

1:50

Second.

1:51

Are there any questions, comments, or corrections?

1:53

All those in favor of adopting a consent agenda, please signify by saying aye.

1:57

Aye.

1:58

Those opposed signify by saying nay.

2:01

The consent agenda is declared adopted.

2:03

We'll now move on to proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements.

2:06

And there are none this evening.

2:08

With that, we'll move on to public comment.

2:10

Tonight's agenda there are two opportunities for people to comment.

2:13

Under public comment, you can speak about motions, resolutions, ordinances on tonight's agenda.

2:18

Under community forum, which is held at the end of the meeting, you can speak about items over which the city council has jurisdiction.

2:25

These forums are intended to give speakers the opportunity to share viewpoints and feedback with the city council to aid our in our decision making and is not meant to be a back and forth dialogue.

2:33

Your remarks should be directed to the city council and not individual staff members.

2:37

If you're wishing to speak under public comment, please raise your hand.

2:42

Please press the raise hand button near the bottom of your Zoom window or start on your phone now so we can see the number of people wishing to testify this evening.

2:49

If you are speaking in person, please sign up at the back of the room if you have not done so already.

2:53

Your name or your last four or the last words, your phone number will be called when it's your turn to speak.

2:57

Public comment.

2:58

Clerk, will you please read?

2:59

This is a time set aside for public comment.

3:01

Speakers are asked to identify the specific legislation they wish to address.

3:05

All right.

3:38

Clerk, have we received any written public comment for tonight's meeting?

3:41

We have not.

3:42

Okay.

4:09

Council contingency funds in the amount of 25,000 to support broken window replacement along Broadway's antique row.

4:20

That being said, uh my business uh up in Hilltop has had four windows broken in the last few months.

4:31

Uh these are 11 foot store foot windows over $2,000 a piece.

4:37

And uh I uh feel that uh myself and other people that have broken windows broken in Tacoma by uh criminals and whatever reason uh should be allowed to have our windows replaced just as much as the antique row windows there.

5:01

Uh and they're done at four separate occasions and several mom or bullet holes windows broken with bullet fire and a hilltop, you know.

5:13

And so uh I just feel that it's injustice to everybody else in Tacoma that has broken windows that have businesses that uh I have to shoulder the cost for their broken windows.

5:27

There was a program that expired, but I didn't know about it until after expired, and and some of my windows were broken after the expiration of that window replacement program.

5:38

So I besides this one time for the antique row.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████21%
Charter Review█████████████████████21%
Public Comment█████████9%
Government Structure Reform█████████9%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Climate Change█████5%
Homelessness█████5%
Zoning And Land Use████4%
Public Utility Board Stipends███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting – June 11, 2024

The Tacoma City Council met on June 11, 2024, at 5:00 PM at the Tacoma Public Utilities Auditorium. The meeting included adoption of the consent agenda, several resolutions, two ordinances on final reading, and a community forum with extensive public testimony on charter review amendments, police accountability, climate action, and other matters. Councilmember Bushnell was absent.

Consent Calendar

  • Adopted the consent agenda, including Resolution No. 41443 awarding a $1,259,417.40 contract (plus contingency) to Miles Resources, LLC for pavement repair and security gate upgrades at the Solid Waste Recovery and Transfer Center.
  • Filed minutes from various committee meetings (Government Performance and Finance, Joint Municipal Action Committee, Tacoma Creates Advisory Board).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Michelle Reich (business owner on Hilltop) expressed support for the broken window replacement program but urged the council to extend it citywide, noting she had four windows broken in recent months and a previous program had expired.

Community Forum (Public Testimony on Non-Agenda Items)

  • Darren Holter raised concerns about lead contamination at the Tacoma Police Department’s Harrison shooting range, stating soil tests showed lead levels nearly 12 times above cleanup limits, with runoff reaching Puget Sound. He called for city action.
  • Kelly Guzman (UFCW 3000, surgical technologist at Tacoma General) spoke about contract negotiations with MultiCare, seeking fair wages and better health insurance, and announced an informational picket on June 12.
  • Sean Arendt, Ann Dorn, Laura Christensen, John Staub, Laura King, Talison Crosby, Jay Herring, Ifa Pasquale, Hayes Leviathan, Stu Haverly, Barb Church, Stacey Oaks, Eric Hurdy, Gemini, April Smith, Kathy Lahan, Lori Arnold, Jamie, Samuel Weisman, Jake Bailey – Nearly all speakers urged the council to place all Charter Review Commission recommendations on the November ballot. Key priorities: creating a climate commission, establishing a police accountability office, and changing the form of government from a city manager to an elected mayor. Several speakers criticized the current city manager as unaccountable. Some also opposed the South Tacoma megawarehouse and tax breaks for developers. One speaker (Samuel Weisman) used offensive language and was warned; later a speaker (Jude Enrouse) continued with disruptive remarks, leading to a brief recess. The council affirmed First Amendment rights but warned against disruption.
  • Brian Johnson spoke about ineffective homeless encampment sweeps, urging more direct engagement with homeless individuals and better funding for shelters.
  • Michelle Reich (also spoke under community forum) condemned civilian casualties in Gaza, calling the recent rescue operation a massacre.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 41444 – Reappointment to Tacoma Public Utility Board: Deputy Mayor Hines reported the committee interviewed three candidates and recommended reappointing Carlos Watson for a five-year term. Council adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution 41445 – Shared-Use Path on South Tacoma Way: Awarded a $4,297,827.15 contract (plus contingency) to Miles Resources LLC for construction of a shared-use path between South “M” Street and South Sprague Avenue. Adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution 41446 – Multi-Family Housing Tax Exemption: Authorized a 12-year limited property tax exemption for Stealth Investments LLC to develop 10 units (8 market-rate, 2 regulated) at 2106 South “J” Street. Debbie Bingham presented: estimated construction cost $1.75 million, 8,235 labor hours, net positive tax revenue of $92,350 over the exemption period. Adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution 41447 – Surplus Property Sale for 3803 North Monroe Street: Declared surplus a 1,409 sq. ft. city parcel and conveyed it to abutting owner Tania Rose Posa for $20,384.84. Troy Stevens explained the property had been acquired in 1929 and was unused. Councilmember Walker asked about use; the buyer intends to secure a wall and driveway. Adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution 41448 – Youth Week in Fuzhou, China: Authorized $12,500 from council contingency funds to sponsor up to 10 Tacoma youth for a youth week event in Fuzhou (sister city of 30 years) from June 21–30. Mayor Woodards noted the funds would reduce expenses not covered by Fuzhou’s invitation. Adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution 41449 – Broken Window Replacement on Broadway’s Antique Row: Authorized $25,000 from council contingency funds to support businesses affected by a vandalism incident where over 50 windows were damaged (90% in a half-block). Mayor Woodards stated the funds would supplement an existing ARPA-funded broken window replacement program. Councilmember Rumbaugh thanked the mayor. Adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinance 28969 – Compensation Plan Amendments (Final Reading): Amended Chapter 1.12 to comply with state law on defense of city officers/employees. Roll call: 7 ayes (Bushnell absent). Passed.
  • Ordinance 28970 – Local Employment and Apprenticeship Training Program (Final Reading): Amended Chapter 1.90 to replace outdated elements and strengthen outcomes. Roll call: 7 ayes (Bushnell absent). Passed.

Key Outcomes

  • All resolutions and ordinances on the regular agenda were adopted or passed unanimously (7-0 with one absence).
  • Council excused Councilmember Bushnell from the meeting.
  • The community forum closed after 20 speakers; no further council action taken on testimony.
  • The next Government Performance and Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for June 18, 2024.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call the order of the city council meeting of June 11th, 2024. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Bushnell, absent. Councilmember Daniels? Here. Councilmember Diaz. Here. Deputy Mayor Hines. Here. Councilmember Rumba. Here. Councilmember Scott. Here. Councilmember Walker. Here. Mayor Woodards. Here. Okay. Please join me in listening to the land acknowledgement and the flag salute led by Councilman Rumbaugh, followed by a moment of silence. We gratefully acknowledge and honor, we gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the PUALA people where they make their home and speak the Lashutsi language. Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence. All right. Agenda modifications. Are there any modifications of the agenda this evening? Seeing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda. Move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolution number 4143. Second. Are there any questions, comments, or corrections? All those in favor of adopting a consent agenda, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed signify by saying nay. The consent agenda is declared adopted. We'll now move on to proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements. And there are none this evening. With that, we'll move on to public comment. Tonight's agenda there are two opportunities for people to comment. Under public comment, you can speak about motions, resolutions, ordinances on tonight's agenda. Under community forum, which is held at the end of the meeting, you can speak about items over which the city council has jurisdiction. These forums are intended to give speakers the opportunity to share viewpoints and feedback with the city council to aid our in our decision making and is not meant to be a back and forth dialogue. Your remarks should be directed to the city council and not individual staff members. If you're wishing to speak under public comment, please raise your hand. Please press the raise hand button near the bottom of your Zoom window or start on your phone now so we can see the number of people wishing to testify this evening. If you are speaking in person, please sign up at the back of the room if you have not done so already. Your name or your last four or the last words, your phone number will be called when it's your turn to speak. Public comment. Clerk, will you please read? This is a time set aside for public comment. Speakers are asked to identify the specific legislation they wish to address. All right. Clerk, have we received any written public comment for tonight's meeting?

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