Tacoma City Council Meeting January 7, 2025: Deputy Mayor Election, Proclamations, and Public Hearings

The Tacoma City Council held its regular meeting on January 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM. The meeting began with a moment of silence for former President Jimmy Carter, followed by a land acknowledgment and flag salute. The council amended the agenda to consider the election of the Deputy Mayor early, unanimously elected Council Member Kiara Daniels as Deputy Mayor for a one-year term, adopted the consent agenda, issued two proclamations, heard public comments, and appointed a new member to the Sustainable Tacoma Commission. The City Manager reported the sale of Foss Waterway parcels 9 and 10, and the Economic Development Committee gave an update.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the City Council study session on April 9, 2024, and the special meeting on April 16, 2024.
• Approved payments totaling $56,348,523.78 (payroll $22,411,977.61 and other payments $33,936,546.17) for the period December 2–15, 2024.
• Adopted Resolution No. 41591, setting a public hearing on January 14, 2025, for the declaration of surplus and sale of approximately 113 acres of Tacoma Water property in Frederickson to the Tacoma Sportsmen’s Club Conservation Land Foundation for $3,490,000.
• Adopted Resolution No. 41592, setting a public hearing on February 10, 2025, for Local Improvement District No. 8668 for street and alley improvements at three locations: Wapato Street from South 66th Street to South 68th Street; North 27th Street from Carr Street west to the dead end; and the alley between Bell Street and Pacific Avenue from South 43rd Street to South 45th Street.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tony (online) commented on homeless encampments but was redirected to the next community forum; he was informed his council member is Council Member Scott.
• Aife (Ifa) from Climate Alliance of the South Sound spoke about mentorship and criticized the council's creation of a "toothless" Climate Commission, referencing the orca mother Tahlequah's grief over her calf.
• Gemini from Climate Alliance of the South Sound urged new Deputy Mayor Daniels to take action on climate change, echoing concerns about the orca calf and council inaction.
• Michele Reich spoke about the importance of mentorship, sharing her personal story of a military mentor, and thanked outgoing Deputy Mayor Hines for his work.
• Larry questioned Resolution No. 41591, stating that the property's assessed value is $12.9 million, leaving $9.4 million "on the table" with a sale price of $3.49 million. He requested access to view the property and expressed concern about fiduciary responsibility.
• Kit Burns spoke on Resolution No. 41592 and street improvement priorities, urging the council to address impact fees and noting his experience as a Big Brother.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Modification: Council voted unanimously to suspend Rule 4A to consider the Deputy Mayor nomination (Item 9) before the Consent Agenda.
• Deputy Mayor Election: Mayor Woodards nominated Council Member Kiara Daniels, citing her passion for housing, economic development, and youth. The council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 41593. Mayor Woodards presented plaques to outgoing Deputy Mayor Hines and incoming Deputy Mayor Daniels. Deputy Mayor Hines thanked the council, and Deputy Mayor Daniels remarked that this will be her last year in this season of service.
• Proclamations:
  • Proclaimed January 7, 2025, as Cambodian Educational and Cultural Exchange Heritage Day. Council Member Bushnell, who is of Cambodian descent, spoke about the genocide and the importance of preserving culture. Rady Mey Oum, founder of Cambodian Classical and Folk Dance of the Northwest, accepted the proclamation.
  • Proclaimed January 2025 as National Mentoring Month. Jolynn Kenney (Mentor Washington) and representatives from Palmer Scholars, Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center, and Big Brothers Big Sisters accepted. Mayor Woodards highlighted her own mentors.
• Appointment to Sustainable Tacoma Commission: Council Member Walker introduced Resolution No. 41594 appointing Anastasia Burpee to fill an unexpired term ending April 30, 2027, with the commission transitioning to the Climate and Sustainability Commission on May 1, 2025. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
• City Manager’s Report: Elizabeth Pauli reported the sale of Foss Waterway Development Parcels 9 and 10 to Foss Harbor LLC on December 31, 2024, for marina support and future mixed-use development. The project has been in the works for over 22 years.
• Economic Development Committee Report: Deputy Mayor Daniels reported that the committee held a special meeting on November 21, 2024, to interview applicants for the Tacoma Arts Commission, and a work session on December 10, 2024, on workforce development and child care. The next meeting on January 14, 2025, will discuss proposed updates to Tacoma Creates.
• Mayor’s Announcement: Mayor Woodards announced that the City Clerk’s Office is seeking volunteers to serve on "For" and "Against" committees for Proposition S2 (street funding) for the April 22, 2025, special election. Letters of interest are due by 3:00 PM on January 17, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous election of Council Member Kiara Daniels as Deputy Mayor for a one-year term expiring December 31, 2025 (Resolution No. 41593).
• Consent Agenda adopted unanimously, including resolutions for public hearings on the Tacoma Sportsmen’s Club land sale and Local Improvement District No. 8668.
• Resolution No. 41594 adopted unanimously, appointing Anastasia Burpee to the Sustainable Tacoma Commission.
• The public hearing on the surplus land sale (Resolution 41591) is scheduled for January 14, 2025, at 5:15 PM.
• The public hearing on LID No. 8668 (Resolution 41592) is scheduled for February 10, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
• The council adjourned at 6:02 PM.