Tacoma City Council Meeting - October 1, 2024
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Tacoma City Council Meeting - October 1, 2024
The Tacoma City Council convened at 5:00 PM on October 1, 2024, in Council Chambers. The meeting included four proclamations, public comment on a multifamily tax exemption resolution, approval of several resolutions and an ordinance, and recognition of outgoing staff member Melanie Harding.
Proclamations & Recognitions
- Manufacturing Day (October 4, 2024): Mayor Woodards proclaimed October 4, 2024 as Manufacturing Day. Riley Hume of Homeostasis spoke about developing CO2 conversion technology and the importance of local manufacturing.
- Filipino American History Month (October 2024): Proclamation read by Councilmember Sadalge. Multiple speakers highlighted Filipino American contributions, including Mary Crest (Filipino American National Historical Society), Ray Pascua (Wapato Filipino Hall history), and AJ Piukindo (UW Tacoma FASA president). Commissioner Kristin Ang (Port of Tacoma) noted the Philippines is a top-10 trading partner and that a direct SeaTac–Philippines flight is launching. Mariana Silva (Miss Washington North America 2024) also spoke.
- Tacoma Arts Month (October 2024): Proclamation read by Councilmember Scott. Jasmine Brown (Tacoma Arts Commission) invited the public to Kaleidoscope (Oct 2 at Star Center) and the Tacoma Studio Tours featuring over 100 artists.
- Walk and Roll to School Month (October 2024): Proclamation read by Councilmember Walker. Sarah Nettie spoke about the Safe Routes to School program, citing post-pandemic traffic dangers and the need for infrastructure improvements like new crosswalks.
Public Comments & Testimony
Three in-person speakers and one online commenter addressed Resolution 41531 (multifamily tax exemption):
- Jesse Scott Randall: Expressed concern about lack of labor standards, wage theft, and the underground economy in construction. Asked council to abstain and hold a working session.
- Maryana Heike (Carpenters union): Urged strong labor standards, registered apprenticeship utilization, and responsible contracting for affordable housing projects.
- Kit Burns (architect): Said the MFTE program needs examination, noting one project received $6 million in tax exemptions while affordable rents barely differ from market rates. Encouraged scheduling a working session.
- Lori Arnold (online): Echoed Burns’ comments, arguing the program favors wealthy developers over actual affordability and urged the council to take a harder look at tax break policies.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 41530 – Purchase of six compressed natural gas automated side-loader garbage trucks from Dobbs Heavy Duty Holdings LLC for a total of $3,806,430 (including 20% contingency). Lewis Griffith (Solid Waste) noted the trucks will use renewable natural gas. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 41531 – 12-year limited property tax exemption for 1436 E 31st St LLC to develop eight 1-bedroom units (450 sq ft each) at 1434-1436 E 31st Street. Two units are regulated at 70% of area median income. The project is already under construction. Net positive fiscal impact of $76,000 over 12 years (city tax exempted: $35,000; city tax generated: $111,000). Councilmember Walker noted the regulated rate locks in for 12 years. Deputy Mayor Hines announced an MFTE update will be discussed at the Government Performance and Finance Committee on November 5, 2024. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 41532 – Purchase of 2.27 acres from Metro Parks for $870,000 (from Public Safety Fund) to build a new Fire Station 7 near South 60th and Tyler Streets. Current Station 7 (built 1959) serves over 3,500 emergencies annually with only one engine bay and no expansion capacity. The new station would house three pull-through bays and co-locate emergency resources at the Sarah campus (disaster response site). Metro Parks will reinvest proceeds in South Tacoma park space. Councilmember Diaz raised concerns about security and neighborhood engagement. Fire Chief Sionna Stallings-Ala’ilima noted the existing station may be retained for future needs. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 41533 – $10,000 from Council Contingency Funds to support Alchemy Skateboarding expansion and youth access fund. Councilmember Walker highlighted the program’s work with at-risk youth and the juvenile court system. Councilmember Rumbaugh noted a participatory budgeting option for a skate park under I-705. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 41534 – $5,000 from Council Contingency Funds to sponsor the Tacoma Halloween Parade on October 19, 2024, in the McKinley Hill District. Councilmember Sadalge said the sponsorship keeps the parade accessible in a low-opportunity area. Approved unanimously.
- Ordinance 28979 – Non-exclusive 10-year franchise agreement with Unite Private Networks, L.L.C. to install fiber-optic facilities in public rights-of-way. First read on September 10, 2024. Approved by roll-call vote (9-0).
Key Outcomes
- All five resolutions (41530–41534) and Ordinance 28979 were adopted unanimously.
- The council recognized Melanie Harding, outgoing Assistant to the City Manager, who will become Executive Director of MRSC (Municipal Research and Services Center). Councilmembers thanked her for nearly a decade of service.
- Deputy Mayor Hines was recognized for his birthday.
- The meeting adjourned shortly after 6:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I would like to call to order the city council meeting of October 1st, 2024. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Bushnell. Councilmember Bushnell? Are you present? Thank you. Councilmember Daniels. Councilmember Diaz. Deputy Mayor Hines. Councilmember Rumba here. Councilmember Sidalgay? Councilmember Scott? Councilmember Walker? Here. Mayor Woodards? Here. Please join me in listening to the land acknowledgement and flag salute led by Councilmember Walker, followed by a moment of silence in honor of Margie McGrody. Today, our moment of silence honors a remarkable individual whose impact on our city is both profound and enduring. Whether you have heard Margaret Margie, whether you've heard of Margaret Margie McGrotory or not, if you lived in Tacoma, you have undoubtedly benefited from her tireless work and deep passion for our community. Margie was a proud resident of Tacoma for 48 years. And throughout her life, she dedicated herself to making our city a better place for all. Let me now turn this over to Councilmember Walker. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Puala people where they make their home and speak the Leshutsi language. Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence. Are there any modifications to this evening's agenda? Seeing none, we will now move on to the consent agenda. There are no consent agenda items today. We have four ceremonials tonight. Are they here? Okay. And whereas manufacturing is a major employer and job creator in Washington state, with over 275,000 workers responsible for more than 8% of the gross state product, and 17,000 individuals working in the manufacturing sector right here in Pierce County. And whereas manufacturing in Tacoma produces such varied products as aircraft components, precision robotics, batteries, components for maritime industry, and craft beverages. And whereas local manufacturing businesses lead the way in sustainable efforts to reduce energy and carbon emissions, such as the Port of Tacoma's clean air strategy to reach zero emissions by 2040. And whereas manufacturers continually strengthen their workforce through skills-based training and education, make significant contributions to the national, regional and local economy, and are foundational to Tacoma's growth and vibrancy. Now, therefore, I, Victoria R. Worders, mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim Friday, October 4th, 2024, as Manufacturing Day in the City of Tacoma, and invite our community to celebrate and engage with our manufacturing partners all month long, and extend our deepest appreciation to our Tacoma Pierce County manufacturers and to the Manufacturing Industrial Council for their vital services they perform and their essential support of service in our community. Please join me in a round of applause. All right, Raleigh Riley and Mike, I'll turn it over to you to say a few words. I'm Riley Hume, the lead research and development engineer for Homeostasis. We're a Tacoma based startup and leaders in CO2 conversion technology. What we're developing right next to the 11th Street Bridge is a technology for converting carbon dioxide, either from emission sources or directly from the air into critical materials for our electrified world. Joining the ranks of Group 14, Ebb Carbon, Banu Carbon, and Avalanche, we're working to make Washington State a hub for climate tech and the security of our clean energy value chain. On behalf of Team Homeostasis, thank you again for this recognition. Thank you, Mayor and Council for acknowledging our local manufacturers. I think it's vital in our communities that we create products and fulfill a local ecosystem of manufacturing and goods that can be there for us when we need. So thank you for making that recognition. Thank you both. Please come forward to accept your proclamations. And we're going to take a picture. Spread on out.
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