Tacoma City Council Meeting – July 22, 2025

The Tacoma City Council met on July 22, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a recognition ceremony, adoption of the consent agenda, approval of two council contingency fund requests, and a community forum dominated by testimony on a proposed workers' bill of rights initiative (Initiative Measure No. 2). All resolutions passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 41720 – Awarded a contract to Apsco, LLC for $1,460,540 (plus taxes) from the Wastewater Fund to upgrade and retrofit three Flowserve Influent Pump units at the North End Treatment Plant.
• Resolution 41721 – Awarded a contract to Northwest Cascade, Inc. for $499,000 (plus 20% contingency; projected total $598,800 plus taxes) from the Wastewater Fund for the Central Treatment Plant Outfall Air Relief Valve Replacement project.
• Resolution 41722 – Authorized an increase of $350,000 (new total $750,000 plus taxes) from the Information Systems Fund for legal services from Davis Wright Tremaine LLP related to the Western Metals Multiemployer Plan.
• All items were adopted on a single motion with no questions, corrections, or opposition.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Recognition of Shelby Fritz – Mayor Woodards and the Council honored the late Human Resources Director Shelby Fritz, who served the City for 24 years (including 8 years at Tacoma). Family members (brother William Fritz) and HR staff were present. The mayor highlighted Fritz’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, her work on the city manager recruitment, and her courage during a battle with cancer. A moment of silence was observed.

Public Comments (Agenda Items)

• No speakers registered for the public comment period on motions, resolutions, or ordinances. One online attendee inquired about a workers' bill of rights discussion and was directed to the community forum.

Community Forum

• The forum lasted 60 minutes, with speakers addressing Initiative Measure No. 2 (workers' bill of rights) and other matters. Speakers were allowed 90 seconds each.

Supporters of Initiative Measure No. 2:

• Reverend Mike Roberts (representing TMA and NAACP) urged the council not to obstruct the initiative, arguing that scheduling provisions are not onerous for small businesses and that minimum wage increases for small businesses are phased in over three years. He stated, "It cannot be our position that businesses can raise prices… but workers can't receive raises."
• Zev Cook (District 5 resident, co-writer of the initiative) asked the council to not place a competing initiative on the ballot, citing past undemocratic actions (2015 minimum wage initiative, 2023 tenant bill of rights court case). He said, "Have faith in the electorate."
• Gemini Gol (new homeowner) criticized the city’s track record with democracy, calling for the elimination of the city manager position and urging a pro-democracy stance.

Opponents of Initiative Measure No. 2:

• Andrea Ray (President/CEO, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber) stated the initiative creates challenges for the local economy. She noted the Chamber has over 1,300 members and called for a business roundtable to craft balanced policies, warning that a one-size-fits-all policy could stall recovery for businesses on thin margins.
• Jackie Farrell (co-founder, Farelli’s Woodfire Pizza) said if the initiative passes, her Sixth Avenue restaurant will shut down, eliminating 50 jobs. She pointed to a 1.5–2.5% profit margin and argued that restrictive scheduling would hurt flexibility and server tips.
• Billy Frederick (second-generation owner, Sholey Bull; past president, Proctor Business District) stated that 80–90% of businesses in Proctor are small, and a three-tiered minimum wage creates unfair competition. He highlighted that franchisees with few employees would be classified as large employers.
• Crystal Leatherman (Director of Government Affairs, Washington Retail Association) representing 3,500 storefronts, argued the initiative defines a franchisee as a large employer subject to onerous requirements. She also noted redundancy with state safety requirements and said the proposal deserves more deliberate consideration.
• Eddie Bratco (President, Tacoma General and Allenmore Hospitals, MultiCare) expressed concern that rigid scheduling mandates (e.g., employee right to refuse shifts or locations) would undermine patient safety and staffing flexibility. He noted MultiCare faces financial strain from the recent federal "one big beautiful bill act" cutting Medicaid, and asked for health care exemptions.
• Deepak Devastali (President, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, VMFH) similarly opposed the 14-day advance scheduling requirement, citing variability in health care. He said his system is the largest Medicaid provider nationally and the mandate could hurt finances due to fines.
• John Farrell (restaurant owner) claimed Washington restaurants employ 20% fewer people than the national average due to minimum wage and tip policies. He said the initiative would cost about 1% of profits (66% of his 1.5% margin), forcing price increases and reduced hours.
• Meg Lewis (15-year-old restaurant employee) stated that a mandatory 10-hour break rule would cut her weekend earning potential in half. She averages $22–23/hour with tips and is saving for college and a car.
• Josie Meyer (small business owner, Realongas of Tacoma) said her franchise operates on thin margins for seasonal consignment events; a $20 minimum wage would likely put her out of business. Her time expired before she could finish.

Other Community Forum Speakers:

• Michelle Reich (speaking in public comment earlier and again in forum) requested the city study removing fluoride from water, claiming it is a neurotoxin. She also offered a correction regarding Juneteenth and slavery in Native American tribes.
• Musty (Sheena Mustin) requested a meeting with the mayor and police chief regarding a police brutality issue. The mayor’s office said they would reach out.
• Kit Burns (33-year Tacoma resident) asked for updates on tree policy, multifamily tax exemption, and the Tacoma Dome Link extension. He claimed he could save $100 million on the Link project.
• Sarah O’Toole (District 5 homeowner) urged the council to revisit the city charter and consider the city manager position before hiring a permanent replacement.

Regular Agenda – Resolutions

• Resolution 41723 (adopted) – Authorized $5,000 from Council Contingency Funds for the 2025 BIPOC Health and Wellness Fair on July 26 at East Side Community Center. Sponsored by Mayor Woodards, co-sponsored by Councilmembers Sidalge and Bushnell. The event offers free health screenings, educational sessions, and community resources.
• Resolution 41724 (adopted) – Authorized $10,000 from Council Contingency Funds to support the Tacoma Historical Society’s 2025 Destiny Dinner, celebrating Tacoma’s 150th anniversary. Sponsored by Mayor Woodards, co-sponsored by Councilmembers Rumbaugh and Hines. The city will be recognized as a lead sponsor.

Committee Reports

• Councilmember Rumba (Chair, Community Vitality and Safety Committee) reported on three meetings: June 12 (rental housing code and landlord fairness code briefing), June 22 (International Property Maintenance Code adoption timeline and pilot program), and July 10 (street medicine program update from Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department). The next CVS meeting is July 24 at 4:30 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar – Adopted unanimously (all resolutions 41720, 41721, 41722).
• Recognition – Shelby Fritz was honored; a moment of silence was observed.
• Resolution 41723 – Adopted unanimously ($5,000 for BIPOC Health Fair).
• Resolution 41724 – Adopted unanimously ($10,000 for Tacoma Historical Society Destiny Dinner).
• Excusal of Councilmember Walker – Approved unanimously.
• Adjournment – The meeting adjourned after committee reports and council comments.
• No action was taken on Initiative Measure No. 2, but multiple speakers urged the council either to reject it, to place a competing alternative on the ballot, or to let the initiative proceed without interference. The council did not debate or vote on the initiative during this meeting.