OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting - September 10, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, September 10, 2024
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 10, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of September 10th, 2024.

0:08

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:09

Councilmember Bushnell?

0:10

Present.

0:11

Councilmember Daniels.

0:14

Absent Councilmember Diaz.

0:16

Deputy Mayor Hines.

0:18

Here.

0:18

Councilmember Rumba here.

0:20

Councilmember Sidalgay?

0:22

Here.

0:22

Councilmember Scott.

0:23

Here.

0:24

Councilmember Walker?

0:25

Here.

0:25

Mayor Woodards.

0:27

Here.

0:28

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

0:37

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

0:44

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

0:52

I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:45

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

1:48

I move to adopt the consent agenda.

1:50

Second.

1:51

Are there any council questions, comments, or corrections?

1:54

Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye.

1:58

Aye.

1:59

All those opposed.

2:01

The consent agenda is adopted.

2:03

Moving on to proclamation proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements.

2:22

And for this proclamation, I'd like to invite Anid Urena, Rafael Sosado, Amy Figueroa.

2:37

And that's it.

2:37

Sorry, the three of you.

2:46

All right.

2:48

Whereas each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month on September 15th to October 15th by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

3:06

And whereas the City of Tacoma recognizes one of its own, Councilmember Oggy Diaz, who has been a change agent for social environment for social, environment, and governmental affairs advocacy for decades, and is the product of a close family and parents who immigrated from Guatemala to provide a better life for their children and help launch her career after graduating with dual bachelor's degree in Latin American Studies and Women's Studies from the University of Washington.

3:36

And whereas we recognize Latinx Unidos, South Sound, as one of the most dedicated community organizations for calling attention to the expressed needs of this diverse population group, including pride and Latinae cultural heritage and pushing to see the full inclusion and celebration of Latine culture.

3:59

And whereas the city recognizes the diversity in identification of those coming from the Americas, with Hispanic often being a preferred identifier for those of Spanish descent, and Latinae being a broader gender inclusive identifier, often preferred by those of indigenous and mixed descent.

4:20

And whereas today, more than 5% of city employees, 12% of Tacoma's population, and 20% of the Tacoma Public Schools population are of Hispanic or Latina or origin.

4:36

And the culture, educational, political influences of the Hispanic and Latine people can be seen and appreciated in all aspects of our lives.

4:46

Now, therefore, I, Victoria R.

5:00

Woodards, mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim September 15th through October 15th, 2024 as Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Tacoma, and call on all people of Tacoma to share in this special annual tribute by learning and celebrating the centuries old traditions that reflect the multi-ethnic and multi multicultural customs of the communities of Hispanic and Latine people who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.

5:25

Please join me in a round of applause.

5:33

All right, I'm going to turn it over to you.

5:35

Dusty, is is Ashley Ramirez here?

5:37

Are the students from UW to from UWT here?

5:42

Come on up!

5:44

Come on, come up and join.

5:53

All right, who's gonna speak to the Space Bank?

5:57

Well, hello everybody.

5:58

Hello.

5:59

Thank you so much for having us and sharing the space with us.

6:02

I just want to say on behalf of UDUP Tacoma and the event planning committee for UDUP Tacoma's celebrating, celebrate on the comunidad event um that it's recog acknowledgement and recognition like this that really helps people from cultural backgrounds feel welcomed and seen in the city.

6:19

So thank you very much.

6:20

And we invite you to come celebrate with us on October 11th.

6:24

Will you give us a little bit more detail?

6:25

October 11th at what time so that everyone can hear you?

6:29

October 11th at 6 p.m.

6:31

at UW Tacoma's William Phillip Hall, we will be celebrating Latinx leaders across the South Sound from a ranging from different categories.

6:40

So we welcome you all to come help celebrate and raise your awareness of Latinx contributions to the city.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment████████████████████████24%
Affordable Housing███████████████15%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Procedural███████████11%
Immigration Detention Oversight█████████9%
Hispanic And Latina Heritage███████7%
Public Works█████5%
Public Transportation████4%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting - September 10, 2024

The Tacoma City Council met on September 10, 2024, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, consent agenda approval, public comment, discussion and votes on four resolutions, two ordinance readings, and a community forum. All resolutions and ordinances were approved unanimously.

Proclamations and Recognitions

  • Hispanic Heritage Month: Proclaimed September 15-October 15, 2024, as Hispanic Heritage Month. Councilmember Diaz was recognized for her advocacy. Representatives from UDU? Tacoma and Latinx Unidos South Sound spoke, inviting the community to celebration events on October 11th and 12th.
  • Emergency Preparedness Month: Proclaimed September 2024 as Emergency Preparedness Month. Interim Fire Chief Siana Stallings and Emergency Management Chief Shatika Adeagan highlighted accomplishments, including 26 preparedness activities, purchase of supplies, and a partnership with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center. Councilmember Rumba asked about signing up for Tacoma Alert (www.cdftacoma.org/TacomaAlert).
  • Welcoming Week: Proclaimed September 13-22, 2024, as Welcoming Week. Amy Ku, Executive Director of Tacoma Community House, and Mayor Crest Valdez Castro spoke. Councilmember Bushnell shared her family's refugee story and thanked the organization.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was moved and adopted unanimously without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • April Smith (District 5) spoke in support of the letter regarding the Northwest ICE Processing Center and urged more emergency preparedness workshops for low-income residents.
  • Nancy criticized property tax exemptions for market-rate housing, arguing they do not address affordability, and suggested policies to promote homeownership.
  • Kathy Lahan commented on item 8 (ICE letter), item 11 (emergency preparedness, mentioning a tank and explosion zone), and item 17 (franchise agreement for Unite Private Networks, questioning exclusivity).

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 41523 (8-year property tax exemption for Blue Cat LLC, 6 market-rate units at 3402 S. C Street): Debbie Bingham presented the project, estimating $800,000 construction cost, 3,800 labor hours, and net positive tax impact of $42,800 over 8 years. Councilmember Bushnell asked about the difference between 8- and 12-year exemptions. Deputy Mayor Hines noted this is the first 8-year project this year, with many 12-year projects having affordability requirements. Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 41524 (12-year property tax exemption for Petr Yakimenko, 12 units at 4034 S. Puget Sound Avenue, including 3 regulated-rate units): Presented similarly. Construction cost $1.2 million, 5,650 labor hours, net positive tax impact $123,700. Deputy Mayor Hines asked about utility allowance inclusion. Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 41525 (interest-free loan from WSDOT for $650,000, plus $1 million match, for a ballast tamper railway maintenance machine): Presented by Kyle Kellum. Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 41526 (one-time $5,000 Council Contingency for Historic Cushman Street Fair): Presented by Deputy Mayor Hines, noting over 1,000 attendees and public feedback on adaptive reuse of substations. Approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance 28978 (final reading: convention center bond refunding up to $125,000): Approved unanimously by roll call vote.
  • Ordinance 28979 (first reading: 10-year franchise agreement with Unite Private Networks LLC for fiber-optic facilities): Presented by Jeff Lueders. Set over for final reading on October 1, 2024.

Community Forum

  • Justin Everman (McKinley Hill Business Association) requested traffic mitigation on McKinley Avenue due to a recent catastrophic accident.
  • Stephen Bach raised concerns about marine boat storage fee increases at Point Defiance Boathouse, citing a 300% increase and impact on disabled veterans.
  • Nancy (via Zoom) argued that police should be dispatched to medical calls for firefighter safety, and suggested underfunding of fire department may be behind the issue.
  • April Smith (via Zoom) reported a critical areas report reuse issue near Blueberry Park and destruction of green space by a multifamily developer.
  • Kathy Lahan (via Zoom) announced a climate alliance cookout at Wapato Hills Park on September 29, and criticized FPI for treatment of low-income residents, referencing a transfer to a Dutch investment manager.
  • Tracy/Gemini (via Zoom) echoed support for traffic safety and opposed the Bridge Industrial mega warehouse, noting personal loss from traffic.
  • Fred Morris (in person) complained about email delivery issues to the city due to Rainier Connect's IP reputation with Proofpoint.
  • Darren Holter (in person) argued that the Tidy Up Tacoma crew's free services constitute a gifting of city services, citing public disclosure records, and questioned the cost of $2 million.
  • Sally Perkins (District 3) thanked the city for new compassionate services for unhoused people but called for an independent audit of sweeps and police accountability, citing reports of officer misconduct.
  • Haley Hernandez (Side Peace Kitchen, 47th & S. Oak) detailed 48 incidents including violent crime, drug activity, and inadequate police response, urging more equitable resource allocation.
  • Dante Hernandez echoed frustration, saying the city pushes crime into certain neighborhoods and that citizens are forced to compensate for city management failures.

Key Outcomes

  • All four resolutions (41523, 41524, 41525, 41526) were adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinance 28978 (bond refunding) passed unanimously on final reading.
  • Ordinance 28979 (Unite Private Networks franchise) was read for the first time and set for final reading on October 1, 2024.
  • The city attorney corrected a prior statement about traffic impact fees, noting a 6-month delay due to a Supreme Court case but work is now underway.
  • Councilmember Diaz gave the Economic Development Committee report, highlighting the 2024 business climate survey and programs for BIPOC and women-owned businesses.
  • Councilmember Walker announced a 9/11 remembrance ceremony on September 11 at 9 AM at the Firefighters Memorial.
  • Councilmember Sidalge promoted the Tacoma Honk festival on September 14 in McKinley Hill.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of September 10th, 2024. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Bushnell? Present. Councilmember Daniels. Absent Councilmember Diaz. Deputy Mayor Hines. Here. Councilmember Rumba here. Councilmember Sidalgay? Here. Councilmember Scott. Here. Councilmember Walker? Here. Mayor Woodards. Here. Please join me in listening to the land acknowledgement and flag salute led by Councilmember Rumba, followed by a moment of silence. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Piau 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. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Seeing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda. I move to adopt the consent agenda. Second. Are there any council questions, comments, or corrections? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed. The consent agenda is adopted. Moving on to proclamation proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements. And for this proclamation, I'd like to invite Anid Urena, Rafael Sosado, Amy Figueroa. And that's it. Sorry, the three of you. All right. Whereas each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month on September 15th to October 15th by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. And whereas the City of Tacoma recognizes one of its own, Councilmember Oggy Diaz, who has been a change agent for social environment for social, environment, and governmental affairs advocacy for decades, and is the product of a close family and parents who immigrated from Guatemala to provide a better life for their children and help launch her career after graduating with dual bachelor's degree in Latin American Studies and Women's Studies from the University of Washington. And whereas we recognize Latinx Unidos, South Sound, as one of the most dedicated community organizations for calling attention to the expressed needs of this diverse population group, including pride and Latinae cultural heritage and pushing to see the full inclusion and celebration of Latine culture. And whereas the city recognizes the diversity in identification of those coming from the Americas, with Hispanic often being a preferred identifier for those of Spanish descent, and Latinae being a broader gender inclusive identifier, often preferred by those of indigenous and mixed descent. And whereas today, more than 5% of city employees, 12% of Tacoma's population, and 20% of the Tacoma Public Schools population are of Hispanic or Latina or origin. And the culture, educational, political influences of the Hispanic and Latine people can be seen and appreciated in all aspects of our lives. Now, therefore, I, Victoria R. Woodards, mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim September 15th through October 15th, 2024 as Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Tacoma, and call on all people of Tacoma to share in this special annual tribute by learning and celebrating the centuries old traditions that reflect the multi-ethnic and multi multicultural customs of the communities of Hispanic and Latine people who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. Please join me in a round of applause. All right, I'm going to turn it over to you. Dusty, is is Ashley Ramirez here? Are the students from UW to from UWT here? Come on up! Come on, come up and join. All right, who's gonna speak to the Space Bank? Well, hello everybody.

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