I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of June 10th, 2025.

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Councilmember Bushnell.

Present.

Deputy Mayor Daniels.

Absent Councilmember Diaz.

Councilmember Heinz.

Here.

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 Bushnell, followed by a moment of silence.

We griefly 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 and remain standing for a moment of silence.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, individual with liberty and justice for all the agenda modifications.

Are there any modifications to this evening's agenda?

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

I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions number 41691.

Second.

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 three ceremonials tonight.

And for our first ceremony this evening, I would like to invite uh Mayor Jean-Pierre Dermont uh from the City of Biat France, our sister city, to the podium as I read this proclamation.

Whereas the City of Tacoma and the City of Biat France established a sister city relationship in 2012, founded on mutual respect, cultural exchange, and a shared passion for the art of glass making.

And whereas Biat is internationally recognized for its rich tradition of glass artistry, a craft that is also deeply embedded in Tacoma's identity as home to the Museum of Glass, a vibrant community of glass artists, and the legacy of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuli.

And whereas over the years, Tacoma and Biat have strengthened their partnership through artist exchange, civic visits, and collaborative and collaborative programs that honor our shared appreciation for glass art and foster global friendship and understanding.

And whereas the visit of the sister city delegation from Biat provides a meaningful opportunity to celebrate our cultural ties, artistic connections, and enduring commitment to international cooperation.

And whereas Tacoma recognizes the power of art, particularly glass art, as a universal language that bridges cultures, inspires creativity, and builds lasting relationships.

Now, therefore, I, Victoria R.

Woodards, mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do pro do hereby proclaim today June 10th, 2025, as Biat Sister City Day in the City of Tacoma, and encourage all residents to welcome our guests from Biat, France, and join us in celebrating the beauty of glass art and the enduring friendship between our two cities.

Please join me in a round of applause.

Kathy, if you wouldn't stand to be recognized.

Kathy is the chair of our sister cities committee with Biat.

And Kathy spends some of her time here in Tacoma and some of her time in Biat.

And has really been the glue that has that has held this relationship together.

And so Kathy, let me say thank you so much to you for your leadership both here in Tacoma and in Biat.

And for the way that you're holding this relationship together.

And they just completely respect her in the city.

And the fact that she represents the city of Tacoma there and our relationship in continuing to build this relationship.

Tony, who's been um who grew up in the Hilltop Artist Residence Program, now is a teacher and has been a teacher for over 20 years, got to go over last year.

Now, I I said some of this last night at dinner, but I having the opportunity to go and visit Biat France and to meet the mayor face to face and be able to spend several days in his city during what is a glass festival that they host every other year.

People from all over the world, glass artists from all of the world, all over the world come to this small city of Biat.

It's only 10,000 people.

And to actually meet people, because not only do we have artists who get to go to Biat, they also have artists from Biat that actually come to Tacoma.

And to be able to meet people who've had an opportunity to be here and study here in Tacoma to either work in our hot shop down at the Museum of Glass or to work with students at our glass programs here in Tacoma was just incredible.

But all of that is sustained because they have a mayor who believes in the power of these partnerships and the power of these people-to-people relationships.

And so I said last night, and I'll say it again today.

The thing that makes these relationships so great is while we may be on opposite ends of the world and may be in places that are thousands and tens of thousands of miles apart.

And the fact that he wakes up every day thinking the same way that I do about how do we make this community a better place.

So Mayor Jean-Pierre, I'm so glad to hear you have you here in our city.