Tacoma City Council Meeting – July 8, 2025

The Tacoma City Council met on July 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM to adopt a consent agenda, recognize the Lincoln High School girls' flag football team, hear public comments on several resolutions, and deliberate on regular agenda items including the 2025 Climate Action Plan Update and collective bargaining agreements. A lengthy community forum focused on unauthorized barriers placed by GEO Group at the Northwest Detention Center, with residents calling for accountability. The council unanimously approved all resolutions and set the first reading of an ordinance for final passage the following week.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes of the Public Utility Board study session and meeting from May 28, 2025 (items 25-0595 and 25-0596).

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Lincoln High School Girls Flag Football Team – Mayor Woodards and Councilmember Hines (both Lincoln alumni) presented a proclamation honoring the team for their undefeated tour in Shanghai, China, where they defeated co-ed college teams and taught clinics. Coach Charles Jacombe and a player thanked the council and community for the opportunity.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Quinn (written comment on Resolution 41710) – Expressed concern that solid waste customers are charged by container size rather than weight, calling the method unfair and requesting a shift to pay-by-weight.
• Kathy Irwin (District 3, written comment on Resolution 41714) – Criticized the 2025 Climate Action Plan Update for not addressing warehouse developments, claiming the plan follows a “scoped practices approach” that excludes key climate issues like large developments.
• Michelle Reich (in person, climate exchange) – Noted the urban heat island effect from concrete and emissions from proposed mega-warehouses, and urged pet owners to provide water during heat.
• Lydia Zappettis (District 3, on Resolution 41713) – Cited a UW Center for Human Rights study showing TPD failed to properly respond to calls at the Northwest Detention Center, with no prosecutions for assault or sexual crimes. She urged the council to require investigations in private with professional interpreters.

Discussion Items

• Reappointment to Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities (RES41709) – Councilmember Rumba reported that the Community Vitality and Safety Committee recommended reappointing Anthony Caldwell and Amy Sidou; unanimously approved.
• Purchase Resolution: Refuse Trucks (RES41710) – Awarded a $2,818,862 contract (plus 10% contingency) to Dobbs Peterbilt, LLC for six commercial refuse trucks, funded from the Solid Waste Fund; unanimously approved.
• Purchase Resolution: Crushed and Natural Aggregate (RES41711) – Awarded contracts to Holroyd Company ($1,131,000) and Miles Resources LLC ($938,375), both with 15% contingencies, for five-year terms from the Street Fund and Streets Initiative Fund; unanimously approved.
• Collective Bargaining Agreement – IBEW Local 483 Tacoma Power Unit (RES41712) – Mark Johnson, labor negotiator, detailed a four-year agreement retroactive to April 1, 2024, covering 343 positions. Includes general wage increases (2.75% for 2024 and 2025), market adjustments, and future CPI-based increases (min 3%, max 6%). Also addressed discipline timelines, retirement health savings accounts, and various classification changes. Unanimously approved.
• Collective Bargaining Agreement – Tacoma Police Union CSO Unit (RES41713) – Michelle Woodrow presented a two-year agreement covering five Community Service Officer positions, with wage increases (2.75% retroactive to Jan 1, 2025, and 3% in 2026), shift differentials, bilingual pay, training pay, and a $500 annual CALEA accreditation lump sum. Unanimously approved.
• 2025 Climate Action Plan Update (RES41714) – Councilmember Walker introduced the resolution, emphasizing the plan’s focus on resilience to climate threats like flooding, sea level rise, urban heat islands, and air quality. Christy Lynette from the Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability clarified that the plan does not single out specific businesses (e.g., warehouses) but includes actions to support heavy-duty electrification in industrial areas. Councilmember Rumba asked why warehouses were not explicitly named; staff explained the plan addresses general policies, not individual businesses. Unanimously approved.
• First Reading of Ordinance 29048 (Compensation Plan) – Carrie Louie, Acting HR Director, presented the ordinance to implement wage and compensation changes from the two collective bargaining agreements, plus temporary application-of-rate increases for certain supervisory positions to avoid compression. Set over for final reading on July 15.

Community Forum – Northwest Detention Center Barriers

• City Manager’s Context – The city manager stated that GEO Group (operator of the Northwest Detention Center) placed barricades on city right-of-way (East J and East F Streets) without city permission. The city is reviewing a permit request for these barriers, which GEO claims are for emergency vehicle access. The city manager pledged to report back on the facts and permit criteria.
• Speakers’ Positions (all opposed to GEO’s actions):
  • Michelle Reich – Shared history of Tacoma’s 2003 anti-discrimination ordinance and urged continued protection for LGBTQ+ residents.
  • Jin Lee – Reported barriers on July 5 hindered emergency response, contradicting GEO’s justification; questioned why GEO removed a memorial plaque for Charles Lero Daniel.
  • Alma Villegas – Visited a detainee and urged council members to visit the facility; offered Spanish interpretation.
  • Erin McCarger (Resistencia security lead) – Noted that during June 16 and July 5 solidarity events, Resistencia kept lanes open for emergency vehicles, and fire trucks were delayed by GEO’s barriers.
  • Gloria Bauman – Asked why the city allowed GEO to violate city rules and called for accountability.
  • Evan Keffler – Urged the council to listen to advocates and warned of increasing federal immigration enforcement.
  • Alicia Sands – Cited the UW study as hard evidence of TPD’s neglect and called for a legislative response.
  • Janet Van Fleet – Expressed trust that the city would stop GEO’s unauthorized street blocking.
  • Teresa Evans – Shared personal safety concerns and support for detainees.
  • Caitlin Henyan (Pierce County Migration Alliance) – Stated that on July 5, GEO did not remove barriers for a medical emergency, contradicting claims of safety. Asked why GEO is allowed to control public streets.
  • Renee Hart – Noted Resistencia always keeps a lane open for emergency vehicles, so GEO’s barriers are unnecessary.
  • Kathy Lahan – Criticized the city for being “in bed” with GEO and called the detention center “fascism incarnate.”
  • Victoria Mena – Questioned why GEO faces no consequences for blocking streets and suggested daily fines.
  • Dylan Blossom – Argued barriers are a safety hazard and urged the city to deny the permit.
  • Cassandra – Asked the council directly whether they will allow GEO to obtain a permit; urged denial and collaboration with Resistencia.
• Council Response – Mayor Woodards reiterated that the city does not pick and choose permit applicants but follows set policies. The city manager will provide an update at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda adopted unanimously.
• Lincoln High School flag football team recognized with a proclamation.
• All resolutions (RES41709 through RES41714) adopted unanimously by voice vote.
• Ordinance 29048 set over for final reading on July 15, 2025.
• The city manager will report back on the GEO barrier permit application at the next council meeting.
• Deputy Mayor Daniels was excused for the meeting.
• Meeting adjourned.