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Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting – November 5, 2024: Proclamations, Labor Agreements, and Ordinance Reviews

City Council — Tuesday, November 5, 2024
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, November 5, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

I would like to call to order the city council meeting of November 5th, 2024.

0:08

Clerk, will you please call the role?

0:09

Councilmember Bushnell?

0:11

Present.

0:11

Councilmember Daniels.

0:12

Councilmember Diaz.

0:14

Here.

0:14

Deputy Mayor Hines.

0:16

Councilmember Rumba.

0:17

Here.

0:17

Councilmember Sidalga?

0:19

Here.

0:19

Councilmember Scott.

0:20

Here.

0:21

Councilmember Walker.

0:22

Here.

0:22

Mayor Woodards.

0:23

Here.

0:24

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

0:33

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.

0:40

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

1:40

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

1:43

I move to adopt the consent agenda.

1:45

Second.

1:46

Are there any questions, comments, or corrections?

1:48

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

1:53

Aye.

1:53

All those opposed, the consent agenda is declared adopted.

1:57

Proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements.

2:00

We have three ceremonials tonight.

2:02

First, we have Veterans Appreciation Day, and I am going to turn it over to uh Councilmember Walker to read the proclamation.

2:11

Thank you, Mayor.

2:14

Whereas the United States military is the most capable fighting force the world has ever known, and the brave men and women of our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, and the Reserves remind us in their service that there are few things more American than giving of oneself to make a difference in the lives of others.

2:31

And whereas we enjoy the blessings of freedom, peace, and representative government because veterans were willing to risk their lives, and we are forever grateful to these selfless individuals.

2:40

And whereas Joint Base Lewis McCord is an integral part of the fabric of the South Sound and Washington State, impacting our economy, our security, and the very character of our community.

2:51

And whereas military service members, retirees, and their families make an impact on life in Tacoma every day in countless ways, including veterans who bring their skills to important jobs in all sectors of employment.

3:02

And whereas the City of Tacoma is proud to have approximately 400 employees, about 10%, who not only serve the city today, but who have also served the nation as a member of the armed forces.

3:13

And whereas, in addition to this reflection on their selfless service, we also want to share our city's deep gratitude for veterans and their many contributions in Tacoma.

3:22

Now, therefore, I, Christina Walker, Councilmember, on behalf of the mayor and the rest of the council of the City of Tacoma, do hereby proclaim Monday, November 11th, 2024, as Veterans Appreciation Day in the City of Tacoma, and I invite all residents of the city to join me in expressing thanks to the many veterans who live and work in the city of Tacoma.

3:44

Thank you very much, Councilman.

3:45

Mayor, before you speak, can I acknowledge the two veterans on the council?

3:50

Um, I know Councilmember Bushnell and you, Mayor Walker, are veterans, and I wanted to make sure we acknowledge that before you started to thank other people.

3:58

So thank you for your service.

4:00

Thank you very much, Councilmember Walker.

4:02

Did anybody else hear her call me Mayor Walker?

4:04

Everybody did hear that?

4:06

Okay, I just thought I just wondered if it was just me.

4:08

So I was like, nobody said anything, so I thought that was great.

4:12

Um thank you very much, Councilmember Walker.

4:15

I'd be honored to be Mayor Walker.

4:17

Um, but I gave it to I gave, I actually gave the proclamation to Councilmember Walker to read.

4:23

Um, because I read it every year, and I'm a veteran, and I thought, well, this year I'll let somebody else read it to me.

4:28

Um, and and I won't, and I won't have to read it, but no, you did great.

4:32

You did great.

4:33

But I I would be remiss um and thank you so much for um recognizing those of us who sit on this dais who are um who are veterans.

4:41

Um but I did just want to take a moment to recognize and honor um both the veterans in our community um and the veterans who work here at the city of Tacoma.

4:52

Um I know that we bring a unique perspective and a strong sense of duty to our roles in government.

5:00

Um I also know that your experiences um in the armed forces have instilled a deep understanding of leadership, teamwork, and resilience.

5:07

And these are the qualities that are invaluable as we work together to build a stronger, more effective government.

5:14

Um I am grateful, we all are grateful for your continued service and the contributions you make every single day.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment████████████████████20%
Environmental Protection███████████████15%
Procedural████████████12%
Veterans Affairs███████7%
Tree Preservation███████7%
Public Finance███████7%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Historic Preservation█████5%
Youth Programs█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting – November 5, 2024

The Tacoma City Council met on November 5, 2024, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included three proclamations, adoption of the consent agenda, public comment, approval of several labor agreements and resolutions, and first readings of ordinances related to compensation, Tacoma Rail rates, alarm devices, and business taxes. Election day was noted, and council committee reports were presented.

Proclamations

  • Veterans Appreciation Day – November 11, 2024, proclaimed by Councilmember Walker. The council acknowledged that approximately 400 city employees (~10%) are veterans. Mayor Woodards and Councilmember Bushnell were recognized as veterans.
  • Stormwater Awareness Week – November 9–16, 2024, proclaimed by Councilmember Scott. Jason Berg (Washington Stormwater Center) and Dana DeLeon (Environmental Services) accepted and highlighted the 'If it hits the ground, it hits the sound' campaign.
  • Native American Heritage Month – November 2024, proclaimed by Mayor Woodards. Olivia Matheson, a Diné city engineer, accepted and noted the 50th anniversary of the Boldt decision and ongoing partnership with the Puyallup Tribe.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was adopted unanimously. It included minutes of various committees, the 2025-2026 Tacoma Public Utilities Preliminary Biennium Budget, and the payroll/payments report totaling $45,608,311.56.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • April Smith (District 5) – Supported Stormwater Awareness Week and thanked the city for the 'Make a Splash' grant program; noted the November 15 deadline for grant applications.
  • Michelle Reich – Advocated for recognition of Indian War veterans, stating approximately 500 soldiers died to establish Washington State, and noted a cemetery at Fort Walla Walla with 250 such veterans.
  • Larry Norman – Praised a stormwater runoff project near a monument on 23rd Street, highlighting community collaboration.
  • Jessica Johnson – Expressed concerns about increased business license fees, asking that promised façade improvements and police services be delivered to support businesses post-pandemic.
  • NC – Opposed the Tacoma Police Union contract, arguing the city should not contract with other entities when it cannot fully staff its own investigations; also questioned Native American Heritage Month, suggesting 'human heritage month' instead.

Discussion Items

  • Labor Agreements (Resolutions 41550–41554 and Ordinance 28987) – Dylan Carlson presented multiple collective bargaining agreements:
    • IBEW Local 483 Clerical Unit (3-year contract, ~186 positions) with general wage increases: 2.75% retroactive to Jan 1, 2024; 2.75% Jan 1, 2025; 3% Jan 1, 2026; plus market-based increases per classification.
    • IBEW Local 483 Power Unit (Letter of Agreement for Telecommunications Engineers, 11 positions) with a 2.75% retroactive increase, step adjustment, and $1,500 lump sum.
    • Health and welfare benefit continuation for 2025 with Tacoma Joint Labor Committee, Tacoma Police Union Commissioned Unit, and Community Service Officer Unit.
  • Urban Wood Reuse Program (Resolution 41555) – Deputy Mayor Hines sponsored a one-time use of $20,000 from Council Contingency Funds to assess an urban wood reuse program, aiming to divert removed trees from landfills. Co-sponsored by Councilmembers Walker and Rumbaugh. Approved unanimously.
  • Tacoma Rail Rate Policy and Tariffs (Ordinances 28988–28989) – Dan McCabe explained updates: a maximum cash balance ceiling of 180 days (minimum 60 days) for Tacoma Rail; 2025 tariff increases of 2.3% system average on line-haul rates and 3% on miscellaneous charges; 2026 supplement of 2.3%; demurrage increase to $70/day. Set over for final reading.
  • Alarm Devices Ordinance (Ordinance 28990) – Danielle Larson presented amendments to reduce false alarms: increase false alarm service fee, add option to not respond to excessive false alarm locations, require alarm companies to confirm validity before requesting police response. Set over for final reading.
  • Business and Occupation Tax (Ordinance 28991) – Repeals preferential tax rate for International Investment Management Services (estimated 40 businesses impacted) and updates definition of 'farmers'. Set over for final reading.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted resolution 41549 appointing 4 youth to the Mayor's Youth Commission Leadership Team: Daron Karsten (Justice and Safety Vice Chair) and Caleb Rothstein (Social Health Chair) (vote unanimous).
  • Adopted resolutions 41550–41555 (labor agreements and urban wood reuse) unanimously.
  • Set ordinances 28987–28991 for final reading at the next meeting (November 12, 2024).
  • Council will hold a special study session on November 8, 2024, at 10:00 AM to discuss the proposed 2025-2026 biennial budget and potential impacts of election results.
  • Upcoming community forums rescheduled to November 19, December 3, and December 17, 2024.

Meeting Transcript

I would like to call to order the city council meeting of November 5th, 2024. Clerk, will you please call the role? Councilmember Bushnell? Present. Councilmember Daniels. Councilmember Diaz. Here. Deputy Mayor Hines. Councilmember Rumba. Here. Councilmember Sidalga? Here. Councilmember Scott. Here. Councilmember Walker. Here. Mayor Woodards. Here. Please join me listening to the land acknowledgement and flag salute led by Councilmember Scott, followed by a moment of silence. 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. Seeing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda. I move to adopt the consent agenda. Second. Are there any 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. Proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements. We have three ceremonials tonight. First, we have Veterans Appreciation Day, and I am going to turn it over to uh Councilmember Walker to read the proclamation. Thank you, Mayor. Whereas the United States military is the most capable fighting force the world has ever known, and the brave men and women of our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, and the Reserves remind us in their service that there are few things more American than giving of oneself to make a difference in the lives of others. And whereas we enjoy the blessings of freedom, peace, and representative government because veterans were willing to risk their lives, and we are forever grateful to these selfless individuals. And whereas Joint Base Lewis McCord is an integral part of the fabric of the South Sound and Washington State, impacting our economy, our security, and the very character of our community. And whereas military service members, retirees, and their families make an impact on life in Tacoma every day in countless ways, including veterans who bring their skills to important jobs in all sectors of employment. And whereas the City of Tacoma is proud to have approximately 400 employees, about 10%, who not only serve the city today, but who have also served the nation as a member of the armed forces. And whereas, in addition to this reflection on their selfless service, we also want to share our city's deep gratitude for veterans and their many contributions in Tacoma. Now, therefore, I, Christina Walker, Councilmember, on behalf of the mayor and the rest of the council of the City of Tacoma, do hereby proclaim Monday, November 11th, 2024, as Veterans Appreciation Day in the City of Tacoma, and I invite all residents of the city to join me in expressing thanks to the many veterans who live and work in the city of Tacoma. Thank you very much, Councilman. Mayor, before you speak, can I acknowledge the two veterans on the council? Um, I know Councilmember Bushnell and you, Mayor Walker, are veterans, and I wanted to make sure we acknowledge that before you started to thank other people. So thank you for your service. Thank you very much, Councilmember Walker. Did anybody else hear her call me Mayor Walker? Everybody did hear that? Okay, I just thought I just wondered if it was just me. So I was like, nobody said anything, so I thought that was great. Um thank you very much, Councilmember Walker. I'd be honored to be Mayor Walker.

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