OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting November 19, 2024: Home in Tacoma Phase 2 Approved, Budget Hearings Feature Firefighter and Senior Center Concerns

City Council — Tuesday, November 19, 2024
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, November 19, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of November 19th, 2024.

0:08

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:10

Councilmember one moment.

0:14

Councilmember Bushnell.

0:15

Present.

0:16

Councilmember Daniels.

0:17

Here.

0:17

Councilmember Diaz.

0:19

Here.

0:20

Deputy Mayor Hines.

0:21

Here.

0:22

Councilmember Rumbaugh.

0:23

Here.

0:24

Councilmember Sidalgay.

0:25

Here.

0:25

Councilmember Scott.

0:27

Here.

0:27

Councilmember Walker.

0:28

Here.

0:29

And Mayor Woodards.

0:30

Here.

0:31

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

0:38

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

0:45

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

0:52

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and City Republic for which agenda modifications.

1:47

Are there any modifications to the agenda this evening?

1:50

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

1:52

I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions number 41556.

1:57

Second.

1:59

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.

2:07

Aye.

2:07

All those opposed?

2:08

The ayes have it.

2:10

The consent agenda is declared adopted.

2:11

Moving on to proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements, we have three ceremonials tonight.

2:17

And for the Transgender Day of Remembrance, I would like to invite Oliver Webb, Chair and Community Advocate for the Diversity Alliance of Puget Sound Board, to the podium as I read this proclamation.

2:35

Whereas Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded by a small group in 1999 to memorialize the still unsolved murder of Black transgender woman Rita Hester in Alston, Massachusetts.

2:49

And whereas the City of Tacoma and its leadership continue to join in solidarity with over 200 cities in 21 countries across the world who observe this day.

3:00

And whereas Transgen Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day in which the two spirit transgender and gender-diverse community mourns and celebrates the lives of those lost each year at the hands of violence.

3:13

And whereas this day is a reminder of the shared responsibility our community and its leaders have to our transgender friends, family, and neighbors to continue to support them, help educate the public, fight for change, exercise our votes against unchecked power, and eliminate hate-filled violence.

3:33

And whereas every year, the number of two spirit transgender and gender-diverse community is ravaged by valor by violence year after year.

3:44

Fueled by legal sanctioned removal of basic human rights and protections and unintentional miseducation that allows transphobia and hatred to fester and lives lost continues to grow.

3:58

And whereas the lives mourned and celebrated are more than just names on a list, they are members of our community and loved ones taken before their time.

4:07

And today and every day, we honor and celebrate those that have been lost while supporting and seeking to protect the lives of those still with us.

4:16

Now, therefore, I, Victoria R.

4:18

Woodards, mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the City of Tacoma, and urge our residents to join in our celebration of those who are still with us as they fight against discrimination, hatred, and an unknown future, and our commitment to not only stand beside them but in front of them as allies.

4:45

In recognition of this day, the transgender flag will fly over the Tacoma Municipal Building on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024.

4:54

And I'd like to make one correction to this, not as allies, but as accomplices.

5:03

All right.

5:04

Oliver, I will turn it over to you for comments.

5:07

All right.

5:07

Uh thank you, Mayor Woodards and City Council.

5:11

Uh, each year I stand up here and talk about hundreds of transgender, gender diverse, and two spirit lives taken around the world, and remind allies of their place in supporting us today and every day.

5:23

But two weeks ago changed my life forever, and it changed all of yours.

5:29

Gone are the days of just having our backs.

5:32

We will need allies to stand in front of us as well, or accomplices.

5:37

Thank you, Tacoma, for continuing to raise our flag and proclaim TDOR and TDOV.

5:43

Because two weeks ago, it was made significantly easier for you not to.

5:48

I'm honored to live in the city, and I'm honored to call you my city council and my mayor.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fire Department Operations████████████████████20%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Procedural█████████9%
Affordable Housing█████████9%
Public Comment███████7%
Public Utility Board Stipends█████5%
Tree Preservation████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting November 19, 2024

The City Council met on November 19, 2024, to address a full agenda including proclamations, public comment, multiple resolutions and ordinances, and two public hearings. The most significant action was the final adoption of the Home in Tacoma Phase 2 zoning amendments after a series of amendments. The council also held public hearings on the proposed 2025-2026 operating and capital budgets, which drew extensive testimony from firefighters opposing cuts to 16 rover positions and from seniors opposing the closure of the Beacon and Lighthouse senior centers. Utility rate increases for power, water, stormwater, and solid waste were introduced on first reading. Several proclamations were issued, including Transgender Day of Remembrance, Small Business Saturday, and National Apprenticeship Week.

Consent Calendar

  • Adopted the consent agenda including Resolution No. 41556 (setting a public hearing date for Title 13 amendments).
  • Approved payments totaling $50,833,890.33 for the period 10/21/2024 to 11/03/2024.

Proclamations & Recognitions

  • Transgender Day of Remembrance: Proclaimed November 20, 2024. Oliver Webb, Chair and Community Advocate for Diversity Alliance of Puget Sound Board, accepted and urged the council to be "accomplices" not just allies.
  • Small Business Saturday: Proclaimed November 30, 2024. Small business owners Jan Parker Cookery and Link Community Clinic spoke about their work and the importance of local support.
  • National Apprenticeship Week: Proclaimed November 17-23, 2024. Jared Ross (South Sound Building and Construction Trades Council) and Deborah Trevorrow (City of Tacoma) highlighted that 3,003 apprentices are active in the five-county area.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Home in Tacoma Phase 2: Multiple speakers urged stronger tree protections, citing the urban heat island effect and the inadequacy of replacing mature trees with saplings. Some expressed support for the housing density but called for mandatory affordability and impact fees. One developer reported vandalism and urged better police response. A representative from Bethlehem Baptist Church spoke in favor of a zoning change to allow a 42-unit affordable housing project.
  • 2025-2026 Operating Budget: Over 50 speakers, predominantly Tacoma firefighters (Local 31), testified against proposed cuts to 16 rover positions, citing broken-down apparatus, delayed response times, and mental health strain. They described engine failures, barned-out stations, and the risk of brownouts. A developer described vandalism on his properties. Several speakers also opposed the closure of the Beacon and Lighthouse senior centers, arguing that Metro Parks community centers cannot replace the specialized senior services and community. Others supported full funding for the Hope Team (non-police mental health crisis response). One commenter noted that combined utility rate increases (power, water, stormwater, solid waste) plus tax levies amount to over a 38% increase on bills.
  • Community Forum: Speakers addressed ShotSpotter surveillance technology, calling it ineffective and racially biased; urged decriminalization of natural psychedelics; demanded a stronger climate commission with elected members; and criticized sweeps of homeless encampments. Approximately 1,800 written comments were received regarding an Israel ceasefire resolution.

Resolutions & Ordinances

  • Resolution 41557: Authorized a $300,000 increase and extension of contract with Northwest Industrial Staffing, Inc. for temporary personnel services (adopted).
  • Resolution 41558 & 41559: Approved changes to Tacoma Power Electric Rate and Financial Policy and Water Rate and Financial Policy (adopted).
  • Resolution 41560: Adopted the priority issues for the 2025 Washington State legislative session (adopted).
  • First Reading – Utility Rate Ordinances (items 23-30): Set for final reading on December 3 or 10. These include:
    • Electric rate adjustments of 5.3% in 2025 and 2026 (Ordinance 28993).
    • Electric vehicle public charging fee increases (Ordinance 28994).
    • Fee updates for inspection, permit, disconnection/reconnection (Ordinance 28995).
    • Electrofuel service pilot rate modifications (Ordinance 28996).
    • Stormwater and wastewater rate increases of 5.5% (solid waste), 7% (wastewater), 8% (stormwater) in 2025 and 2026 (Ordinances 28997-28998).
    • Water rate adjustments of 6.5% in 2025 and 2026 (Ordinance 28999).
    • Water service construction charge adjustments 2025-2029 (Ordinance 29000).
  • Final Reading – Property Tax Levies (items 17-20): All four ordinances passed unanimously by roll call, authorizing increases in ad valorem property tax, fixing levy amounts, and increasing the emergency medical services levy for 2025.
  • Ordinance 28986 – Home in Tacoma Phase 2: After substitute and three amendments, adopted by roll call (9-0). Amendments:
    • Sidalgay amendment: Changed zoning near E. 48th St. and E. Portland Ave. from UR1 to UR3 to allow a 42-unit affordable housing project by Bethlehem Baptist Church (passed).
    • Rumbaugh amendment: Added protections for very large trees (24" dbh or larger) in urban residential districts, requiring development to avoid removal unless certain conditions prevent reasonable development (passed).
    • Sidalgay amendment (ownership incentives): Created incentives for home ownership opportunities for households earning ≤150% of county median income, including rear yard height increase, relaxed alley access, and reduced tree credit requirements, with a 5-year owner-occupancy requirement (passed).
    • Sidalgay amendment (ADU incentives): Similar incentives for adding ADUs, with owner-occupancy requirement for one unit (passed).

Key Outcomes

  • Home in Tacoma Phase 2 adopted (9-0). This rezoning aims to increase housing supply and affordability citywide, with added tree protections and homeownership incentives.
  • Property tax and EMS levy increases for 2025 approved unanimously.
  • Utility rate increases advanced to final reading; will take effect on various dates in 2025 and 2026.
  • State legislative priorities adopted, focusing on progressive tax reform, affordable housing, and funding for essential services.
  • Budget amendments to be discussed at a special meeting on November 20, 2024 (9:00 AM), following extensive public testimony calling for restoration of firefighter positions and preservation of senior centers.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of November 19th, 2024. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember one moment. Councilmember Bushnell. Present. Councilmember Daniels. Here. Councilmember Diaz. Here. Deputy Mayor Hines. Here. Councilmember Rumbaugh. Here. Councilmember Sidalgay. Here. Councilmember Scott. Here. Councilmember Walker. Here. And Mayor Woodards. Here. Please join me in listening to the land acknowledgement and flag salute led by Councilmember Bushnell, followed by a moment of silence. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Puola people where they make their home and speak the Lashutseed language. Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and City Republic for which agenda modifications. Are there any modifications to the agenda this evening? Seeing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda. I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions number 41556. 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 ayes have it. The consent agenda is declared adopted. Moving on to proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements, we have three ceremonials tonight. And for the Transgender Day of Remembrance, I would like to invite Oliver Webb, Chair and Community Advocate for the Diversity Alliance of Puget Sound Board, to the podium as I read this proclamation. Whereas Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded by a small group in 1999 to memorialize the still unsolved murder of Black transgender woman Rita Hester in Alston, Massachusetts. And whereas the City of Tacoma and its leadership continue to join in solidarity with over 200 cities in 21 countries across the world who observe this day. And whereas Transgen Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day in which the two spirit transgender and gender-diverse community mourns and celebrates the lives of those lost each year at the hands of violence. And whereas this day is a reminder of the shared responsibility our community and its leaders have to our transgender friends, family, and neighbors to continue to support them, help educate the public, fight for change, exercise our votes against unchecked power, and eliminate hate-filled violence. And whereas every year, the number of two spirit transgender and gender-diverse community is ravaged by valor by violence year after year. Fueled by legal sanctioned removal of basic human rights and protections and unintentional miseducation that allows transphobia and hatred to fester and lives lost continues to grow. And whereas the lives mourned and celebrated are more than just names on a list, they are members of our community and loved ones taken before their time. And today and every day, we honor and celebrate those that have been lost while supporting and seeking to protect the lives of those still with us. Now, therefore, I, Victoria R. Woodards, mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the City of Tacoma, and urge our residents to join in our celebration of those who are still with us as they fight against discrimination, hatred, and an unknown future, and our commitment to not only stand beside them but in front of them as allies. In recognition of this day, the transgender flag will fly over the Tacoma Municipal Building on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024. And I'd like to make one correction to this, not as allies, but as accomplices. All right.

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