OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting – October 15, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, October 15, 2024
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 15, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

I would like to call to order the city council meeting of October 15th, 2024.

0:07

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:09

Councilmember Bushnell?

0:11

Present.

0:11

Councilmember Daniels.

0:14

Absent Councilmember Diaz.

0:16

Deputy Mayor Hines.

0:18

Councilmember Rumba?

0:19

Here.

0:20

Councilmember Sidalgay?

0:21

Here.

0:22

Councilmember Scott?

0:23

Here.

0:24

Councilmember Walker.

0:25

Here.

0:25

Mayor Woodards?

0:26

Here.

0:27

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

0:36

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

0:44

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

0:51

And I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:59

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all right, agenda modifications.

1:45

Are there any modifications to the agenda?

1:48

All right, seeing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda.

1:50

I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions numbers 41536 and 41537.

1:57

Second.

1:58

All right, are there any council questions, comments, or corrections?

2:02

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

2:06

Aye.

2:07

All those opposed.

2:08

The consent agenda is declared adopted.

2:10

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

2:13

We have one ceremonial tonight for the community conflict resolution day proclamation.

2:19

It's my honor to ask Mara Lise Hoodquant, Executive Director for the Center of Dialogue and Resolution to come forward as I read this proclamation.

2:28

Good evening.

2:31

Whereas nations, federal, state, regional, and local governments have an interest in promoting civility, understanding, improved communication, and conflict resolution via the use of facilitation, training, conciliation, and mediation.

2:49

And whereas the City of Tacoma promotes the use of and access to creative and productive community-based dispute resolution by highly qualified mediators.

3:01

And whereas anyone in the city has access to a community mediation center to resolve conflicts between family members, neighbors, tenants, landlords, merchants, consumers, employees, employers, civic organizations, and governmental agencies.

3:19

And whereas jurisdictions and taxpayers in the state of Washington save millions of dollars annually in court costs for cases they have that have been settled by community-based dispute resolution centers rather than court hearings.

3:33

And whereas the conflict resolution process and training increases the capacity of our community to turn conflict into productive resolutions, resulting in a higher quality of life for all residents.

3:45

And whereas the City of Tacoma commits to leading by example to promote conflict resolution by engaging in civil dialogue throughout its interactions with our residents and each other.

3:57

Now, therefore, I, Victoria R.

3:59

Woodards, Mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim Thursday, October 17th, 2024, as Community Conflict Resolution Day in the City of Tacoma.

4:13

And we extend our deepest appreciation to the Center for Dialogue and Resolution for the vital services they perform and their exemplary dedication to the community members they represent.

4:25

Please join me in a round of applause.

4:32

And with that, I will turn it over to Mayor Lees.

4:35

Thank you so much, Mayor Woodards, and thank each and every one of you.

4:39

Because as I look at you and listen to that, I realize sitting in your spots, kind of get a master's degree in conflict resolution, don't you?

4:47

Um, you'll notice the fancy invitation, and I want to highlight those beautiful pearly letters.

4:53

Do you see those pearly letters?

4:55

That is the um 30th anniversary pearl is the gem for 30 years.

5:01

And if you think about a pearl, starts with a little bit of grit in that oyster shell.

5:07

And how do we engage with the grit in our lives and how do we work that through a conflict we can deepen our relationships, strengthen our relationships?

5:17

So first and foremost, I want to thank you all for the for the recognition today.

5:22

I also want to remind you we are here to serve you or your constituents.

5:26

Give us a call if you see that you're in a tough conversation or you're not quite sure.

5:31

Coaching, training, mediation, and um as the mayor will recognize, we actually came into these chambers, sort of sitting here and looking how you remodeled your room.

5:40

We used to fill that room, that wall up with um listening to your constituents and listening to how they wanted to be listened to it to be able to work through it.

5:49

So we're available to serve you, and we've made it to 30 years.

5:53

I think we just might make it a few years beyond that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works█████████████████████████25%
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Arts And Culture████████████████████20%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Public Comment█████████9%
Community Engagement██████6%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Public Safety████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting – October 15, 2024

The Tacoma City Council convened on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 5:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. Roll call showed seven members present, with Councilmember Daniels absent. The meeting included a land acknowledgement, flag salute, moment of silence, and adoption of the consent agenda. Key actions included approving a $54,000 claim settlement, appointing members to the Citizen Commission on Elected Salaries, and authorizing a $35,000 pride-themed decorative crosswalk on Broadway with an amendment to study a citywide program.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution 41536: Set public hearing dates for the proposed 2025–2026 Biennial Operating Budget, Capital Budget, and Capital Facilities Program for October 29 and November 19, 2024.
  • Resolution 41537: Set a public hearing date of October 29, 2024, for proposed Ad Valorem and Emergency Medical Services tax levies for 2025.
  • The consent agenda was adopted unanimously without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public signed up to speak, and no written comments were received. The public comment period was closed.

Proclamation

  • Mayor Woodards proclaimed Thursday, October 17, 2024, as Community Conflict Resolution Day. Mara Lise Hoodquant, Executive Director of the Center for Dialogue and Resolution, accepted the proclamation and highlighted the center’s 30th anniversary. Councilmembers Rumba and Hines commended the organization’s work.

Regular Agenda

  • Claim Settlement (Item 9): The Council concurred with the Tacoma Public Utilities Board’s approval of a $54,000 settlement for the claim of Herbert Padilla III (TPU Claim No. L-010-24), arising from a February 24, 2023 incident involving a Tacoma Power vehicle. The motion passed unanimously.

Appointments

  • Resolution 41538: Appointed Jessica Weirick (District 5, term expiring September 30, 2027) and Greg Amon (appointed member with legal profession experience, term expiring September 30, 2027) to the Citizen Commission on Elected Salaries. The resolution was adopted unanimously, and the Mayor thanked the appointees for their service.

Resolutions

  • Resolution 41539 (Pride-Themed Decorative Crosswalk): Councilmember Diaz introduced an amendment to add a fourth resolved clause directing the City Council’s Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability (IPS) Committee to study the feasibility of a citywide decorative crosswalk program, including outreach to diverse communities. The amendment passed with all in favor.
    • Councilmember Diaz explained the original resolution would use $35,000 from Council Contingency Funds for a pride-themed crosswalk on Broadway in downtown Tacoma. She noted the crosswalk would celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, promote pedestrian safety, and be installed in time for Pride 2025. Director of Public Works Ramiro Chavez detailed cost breakdown: the estimate included plastic striping (baked into the surface), contracted labor, artist services for color matching, skid resistance, expanded crosswalk bars, additional signage, and a 40% contingency due to unknowns. The total estimate was $35,000, which was the ceiling.
    • Councilmember Sidalge questioned the high cost; Director Chavez explained it was not just paint but a durable, custom installation. Councilmember Ramba asked why Public Works was not funding it; Director replied there was no existing budget for decorative crosswalks and that the department had a backlog of standard crosswalk restriping. Councilmember Walker and others expressed support, noting the crosswalk would create a gathering space and affirm the LGBTQ+ community. The amended resolution was adopted with a voice vote; some opposition was heard (one "Nay").

Committee Reports

  • Community Vitality and Safety Committee: Councilmember Rumba reported the committee met on September 26, 2024, receiving an informational briefing on competitive funding process recommendations for 2025–2026 from Neighborhood and Community Services. Contracts exceeding $500,000 will be submitted to the Contracts and Awards Board on November 6 and presented to the full Council on November 19, with contracts effective no earlier than January 1, 2025. The next committee meeting is scheduled for October 26, 2024, to discuss code compliance revisions (TMC 8.30).

Council Comments

  • Councilmember Sidalge promoted the inaugural Tacoma Halloween Parade on McKinley Hill (Saturday, October 19, festivities from 2 PM, parade at 6:30 PM) and the Tacoma Fire Department open house at multiple stations (1–3 PM, same Saturday).
  • Councilmember Bushnell promoted a Hosmer truck-or-treat event on October 26, 2024, at Thea Apartments (3–6 PM).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda adopted (Resolutions 41536 and 41537).
  • Proclamation recognizing Community Conflict Resolution Day.
  • Claim settlement for Herbert Padilla III approved for $54,000.
  • Appointments to the Citizen Commission on Elected Salaries confirmed.
  • Pride crosswalk resolution adopted as amended, authorizing up to $35,000 from Council Contingency Funds for a decorative crosswalk on Broadway and referring a citywide program study to the IPS Committee.
  • Committee report noted for the record.
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately [not specified]; a Transportation Benefit Governing Board special meeting followed.

Meeting Transcript

I would like to call to order the city council meeting of October 15th, 2024. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Bushnell? Present. Councilmember Daniels. Absent Councilmember Diaz. Deputy Mayor Hines. 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 Diaz, followed by a moment of silence. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Peola people where they make their home and speak the Lashut seed language. Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence. And I pledge allegiance 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 right, agenda modifications. Are there any modifications to the agenda? All right, seeing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda. I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions numbers 41536 and 41537. Second. All right, 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 declared adopted. Moving on to proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements. We have one ceremonial tonight for the community conflict resolution day proclamation. It's my honor to ask Mara Lise Hoodquant, Executive Director for the Center of Dialogue and Resolution to come forward as I read this proclamation. Good evening. Whereas nations, federal, state, regional, and local governments have an interest in promoting civility, understanding, improved communication, and conflict resolution via the use of facilitation, training, conciliation, and mediation. And whereas the City of Tacoma promotes the use of and access to creative and productive community-based dispute resolution by highly qualified mediators. And whereas anyone in the city has access to a community mediation center to resolve conflicts between family members, neighbors, tenants, landlords, merchants, consumers, employees, employers, civic organizations, and governmental agencies. And whereas jurisdictions and taxpayers in the state of Washington save millions of dollars annually in court costs for cases they have that have been settled by community-based dispute resolution centers rather than court hearings. And whereas the conflict resolution process and training increases the capacity of our community to turn conflict into productive resolutions, resulting in a higher quality of life for all residents. And whereas the City of Tacoma commits to leading by example to promote conflict resolution by engaging in civil dialogue throughout its interactions with our residents and each other. Now, therefore, I, Victoria R. Woodards, Mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim Thursday, October 17th, 2024, as Community Conflict Resolution Day in the City of Tacoma. And we extend our deepest appreciation to the Center for Dialogue and Resolution for the vital services they perform and their exemplary dedication to the community members they represent. Please join me in a round of applause. And with that, I will turn it over to Mayor Lees. Thank you so much, Mayor Woodards, and thank each and every one of you. Because as I look at you and listen to that, I realize sitting in your spots, kind of get a master's degree in conflict resolution, don't you? Um, you'll notice the fancy invitation, and I want to highlight those beautiful pearly letters. Do you see those pearly letters?

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