OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting - July 29, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, July 29, 2025
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 29, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of July 29th, 2025.

0:08

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:10

Councilmember Bushnell.

0:12

President.

0:12

Deputy Mayor Daniels.

0:16

Oh, Councilmember G.

0:18

S.

0:19

Here.

0:19

Councilmember Hines.

0:20

Councilmember Rambaugh.

0:22

Here.

0:22

Councilmember Sidalgay.

0:23

Here.

0:24

Councilmember Scott.

0:25

Here.

0:25

Councilmember Walker.

0:27

Here.

0:27

And Mayor Woodards.

0:28

Here.

0:29

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

0:36

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

0:43

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence.

1:38

Are there any modifications to the agenda this evening?

1:42

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

1:48

I move to adopt the consent agenda.

1:50

Second.

1:51

Are there any questions, comments, or corrections?

1:54

Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye.

2:01

The consent agenda is declared adopted.

2:04

Moving on to proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements.

2:07

We have two ceremonials this evening.

2:09

For the new Tacoma Neighborhood Celebration Day proclamation, I would like to invite members of the New Tacoma Neighborhood Council to the podium as Councilmember Rumbaugh reads the proclamation.

2:21

Um Tim Fairley, Chair, Thomas Ebenhoe, Vice Chair, Jordan Bermer, Treasurer, Sarah Hughes, Secretary, and Tony Palam Polimeni, Marketing.

2:46

I'm getting the other one too.

2:47

You'll get a photo.

2:48

So I'm gonna uh uh uh uh okay sorry she reads the proclamation first.

2:53

Then then Tim, you can have all the airtime you want.

2:56

Okay.

2:58

Whereas the city of City of Tacoma's neighborhood um council program was initiated in 1978 to foster civic engagement and was officially established by the city council in 1992 through ordinance number 25188, creating eight resident-led councils to represent and advocate for neighborhoods across the city, and whereas the new Tacoma Neighborhood Council represents the heart of the city, including the downtown core and parts of the hilltop, stadium, dome, and port areas, and meets monthly to provide a forum for community dialogue and collaboration, and whereas the council led by dedicated board members Jordan Berman, Anthony Polomeney, Sarah Hughes, Tom Ebenhoe, and Tim Fairley plays a vital role in amplifying neighborhood voices, sharing resources, and strengthening connections between residents and city leadership, and whereas through community events, active engagement, and meaningful partnerships, the new Tacoma Neighborhood Council continues to advance the goals and priorities of its district, building a stronger, more inclusive, and vibrant Tacoma.

3:56

And whereas the district of New Tacoma is home to celebrated public spaces, local restaurants and museums, entertainment venues, and a rich mix of culture and history that contribute to the city's unique identity and appeal.

4:09

And whereas on Sunday, April 3rd, 2025, the community will come together for the downtown block party.

4:14

Woo-hoo, and um opportunity for residents, visitors, and businesses to celebrate the vibrancy of New Tacoma in our urban core.

4:22

Now, therefore, I, Sarah Rumba, on behalf of the mayor of the City of Tacoma, Victoria Woodards, um, on behalf of the city council, do hereby proclaim Sunday, August 3rd, 2025, as New Tacoma Neighborhood County Celebration Day in the City of Tacoma, and encourage all to take part in the festivities, explore the district, and join in recognizing the contributions of the new Tacoma Neighborhood Council to our shared civic life.

4:47

Thank you very much, Councilmember Rumbaugh.

4:49

Can we give them a round of applause?

4:55

Oh, and I just I want to say before you start talking, Tim, because you can talk for a long time.

5:00

Um, that I am when I first got on council, New Tacoma Neighborhood Council was still dealing with the pandemic, and you were still kind of online and you were trying to come in person.

5:11

And I didn't know if you were gonna have a breath left.

5:13

And you have done so much great work to revitalize the New Tacoma Neighborhood Council.

5:19

I want to thank all of our neighborhood councils that helped you get here.

5:22

I know that they helped out and were giving you ideas, and you've just been so great about sticking together.

5:28

And I just know that the work that you're doing to make a new logo and redo your um your bylaws.

5:35

I just really appreciate what your organization means to our city and to what it means to be a resident in these areas and to be involved in the New Tacoma Neighborhood Council.

5:47

Okay, Tim, you can talk.

5:49

So I'm gonna let the executive board members introduce themselves and what they do first before I push on more great news and what's also behind the reason to celebrate this day.

5:59

Go ahead, Jordan.

6:01

Well, I'm Jordan Berman, the treasurer.

6:04

And as former chair.

6:06

Go ahead.

6:08

I am Tom Ibnhoe.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████18%
Economic Development█████████████████17%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████12%
Community Engagement███████████11%
Public Comment█████████9%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Public Utility Board Stipends████4%
Homelessness███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting - July 29, 2025

The City Council of Tacoma met on July 29, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included adoption of the consent agenda, two proclamations and recognitions, public comment on a wastewater ordinance, adoption of a resolution for a $1 million loan to support affordable housing and retail redevelopment, a first reading of an ordinance to adjust assumed water usage for wastewater billing, a public hearing on a lease of Tacoma Rail property to the Northwest Seaport Alliance, and committee reports.

Consent Calendar

  • Payments: Approved payroll of $24,816,902.10 and payments of $30,736,853.48, totaling $55,553,755.58 for the period June 30, 2025 to July 13, 2025. (Consent agenda adopted unanimously.)

Proclamations & Recognitions

  • New Tacoma Neighborhood Celebration Day: Councilmember Rumbaugh read a proclamation declaring Sunday, August 3, 2025, as New Tacoma Neighborhood Celebration Day. Board members of the New Tacoma Neighborhood Council spoke about their work, including partnerships with Sister Cities, park upgrades at Theus Park, affordable housing development, and a youth homelessness program recognized by HUD.
  • Tacoma Police Department Explorers Program: Councilmember Hines read a recognition honoring Sergeant Kelly Custis, and Explorers Shanez Omar and Aaron Cash for their leadership and service. Sergeant Custis noted the program is open to youth ages 14–20 and meets Tuesdays at Tacoma Police Headquarters.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Rita (in-person): Commented on Ordinance 29049, stating the proposed modification to use an average is insufficient and discriminatory toward small households. She suggested using a per-person average based on the number of residents. She also reported issues with the billing department failing to check prior water use history and providing inaccurate information. Three written comments were also submitted on Ordinance 29049.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 41725 – Loan for Ceiba Redevelopment (adopted): Debbie Bingham presented a $1 million UDAG loan to Ceiba Redevelopment LLLP for acquisition and rehabilitation of three buildings near City Hall (between Market and St. Helens along 9th Street). The $9.5 million project will preserve 78 affordable housing units, renovate 8,500 square feet of commercial space, and create approximately 40 jobs. The project has four tenants ready to lease. Councilmember Walker asked about timeline (spaces filled before year-end) and tenant displacement (none). Resolution adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinance 29049 – Wastewater Rates Adjustment (first reading): Christina Curran explained the ordinance would lower the assumed water usage for new customers or those without winter flow records from 6 CCF to 5 CCF per month for single-family dwellings and from 5 CCF to 4 CCF for multifamily units, effective January 1, 2026. Set over for final reading at the next meeting.
  • Public Hearing – Surplus and Lease of Tacoma Rail Property (closed): Dylan Harrison presented a five-year lease of 15.25 acres at 1738 Milwaukee Way to the Northwest Seaport Alliance for $100,000 per month plus 8% operating cost recovery and annual CPI adjustments, effective September 1, 2025. The property is currently used for an intermodal facility. No public testimony was offered; the hearing was closed. Final consideration is scheduled for August 5, 2025.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Adopted.
  • Resolution 41725: Adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinance 29049: Set over for final reading at the next City Council meeting (August 5, 2025).
  • Public Hearing: Closed; final action on the lease scheduled for August 5, 2025.
  • Council Reports: Councilmember Hines reported on the Government Performance and Finance Committee meeting (July 15) which included briefings on the AMI project closeout and audits. Councilmember Walker announced that TV Tacoma and the MCO team are finalists for five NATOA awards, and that the HEAL team will expand to five days a week starting August 14. Councilmember Hines noted the Community Police Academy is accepting applications until August 15.
  • Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:55 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of July 29th, 2025. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Bushnell. President. Deputy Mayor Daniels. Oh, Councilmember G. S. Here. Councilmember Hines. Councilmember Rambaugh. Here. Councilmember Sidalgay. Here. Councilmember Scott. Here. Councilmember Walker. Here. And Mayor Woodards. Here. Please join me in listening to the land acknowledgement and the flag salute led by Councilmember Hines, followed by a moment of silence. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands, the trial people where they make their home and speak the Lashutseed language. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence. 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. Second. Are there any questions, comments, or corrections? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye. The consent agenda is declared adopted. Moving on to proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements. We have two ceremonials this evening. For the new Tacoma Neighborhood Celebration Day proclamation, I would like to invite members of the New Tacoma Neighborhood Council to the podium as Councilmember Rumbaugh reads the proclamation. Um Tim Fairley, Chair, Thomas Ebenhoe, Vice Chair, Jordan Bermer, Treasurer, Sarah Hughes, Secretary, and Tony Palam Polimeni, Marketing. I'm getting the other one too. You'll get a photo. So I'm gonna uh uh uh uh okay sorry she reads the proclamation first. Then then Tim, you can have all the airtime you want. Okay. Whereas the city of City of Tacoma's neighborhood um council program was initiated in 1978 to foster civic engagement and was officially established by the city council in 1992 through ordinance number 25188, creating eight resident-led councils to represent and advocate for neighborhoods across the city, and whereas the new Tacoma Neighborhood Council represents the heart of the city, including the downtown core and parts of the hilltop, stadium, dome, and port areas, and meets monthly to provide a forum for community dialogue and collaboration, and whereas the council led by dedicated board members Jordan Berman, Anthony Polomeney, Sarah Hughes, Tom Ebenhoe, and Tim Fairley plays a vital role in amplifying neighborhood voices, sharing resources, and strengthening connections between residents and city leadership, and whereas through community events, active engagement, and meaningful partnerships, the new Tacoma Neighborhood Council continues to advance the goals and priorities of its district, building a stronger, more inclusive, and vibrant Tacoma. And whereas the district of New Tacoma is home to celebrated public spaces, local restaurants and museums, entertainment venues, and a rich mix of culture and history that contribute to the city's unique identity and appeal. And whereas on Sunday, April 3rd, 2025, the community will come together for the downtown block party. Woo-hoo, and um opportunity for residents, visitors, and businesses to celebrate the vibrancy of New Tacoma in our urban core. Now, therefore, I, Sarah Rumba, on behalf of the mayor of the City of Tacoma, Victoria Woodards, um, on behalf of the city council, do hereby proclaim Sunday, August 3rd, 2025, as New Tacoma Neighborhood County Celebration Day in the City of Tacoma, and encourage all to take part in the festivities, explore the district, and join in recognizing the contributions of the new Tacoma Neighborhood Council to our shared civic life. Thank you very much, Councilmember Rumbaugh. Can we give them a round of applause? Oh, and I just I want to say before you start talking, Tim, because you can talk for a long time. Um, that I am when I first got on council, New Tacoma Neighborhood Council was still dealing with the pandemic, and you were still kind of online and you were trying to come in person. And I didn't know if you were gonna have a breath left. And you have done so much great work to revitalize the New Tacoma Neighborhood Council. I want to thank all of our neighborhood councils that helped you get here.

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