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Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting - August 12, 2025: Task Force Creation, Groundwater Code Hearing, and Settlements

City Council — Tuesday, August 12, 2025
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 12, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:54:32

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

I would like to call to order the city council meeting of August 12th 2025.

0:06

Clerk, will you please call the rule?

0:07

Councilmember Bushnell.

0:09

Present.

0:09

Deputy Mayor Daniels.

0:10

Here.

0:11

Councilmember Diaz.

0:12

Here.

0:12

Councilmember Hines.

0:14

Here.

0:14

Councilmember Rumba.

0:15

Here.

0:16

Councilmember Sidalgate, absent.

0:18

Councilmember Scott.

0:19

Here.

0:19

Councilmember Walker.

0:20

Here.

0:21

Mayor Woodards.

0:25

Here.

0:26

Thanks, Mayor.

0:28

All right.

0:29

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

0:36

We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Piola people where they make their home and speak the Lachute seed language.

0:42

Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence.

1:34

All right.

1:35

Starting off with agenda modifications.

1:38

Are there any modifications to the agenda this evening?

1:41

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

1:46

I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions numbers 41734 and final reading of ordinance two nine zero four seven.

1:55

Second.

1:56

Are there any questions, comments, or corrections?

1:59

All right, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:05

Sorry, guys.

2:08

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:10

Aye.

2:11

All those opposed, signify by saying nay.

2:15

All right.

2:15

The consent agenda is declared adopted.

2:19

Uh we have no proclamations, recognitions, or presentations this evening.

2:24

So we're gonna move on to public comment.

2:27

On tonight's agenda, there are three opportunities to speak or for people to comment.

2:33

Under public comment, you can speak about motions, resolutions, and ordinances on tonight's agenda, except for ordinance number two nine zero four seven for which a public hearing has already been held.

2:46

Under the public hearing um opportunity tonight, you can speak about the proposed amendments to the South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District Code as recommended by the planning commission.

2:56

Under community forum, which is held at the end of the meeting.

3:00

You can speak about items over which a city council has jurisdictions.

3:04

These forms are intended to give speakers the opportunity to share their viewpoints and feedback with the city council to aid in our decision making and is not meant to be a back and forth dialogue.

3:14

Your remarks should be directed towards the city council and not at individual staff members.

3:19

If you wish to speak under the public comment period, press the raise the hand button near the bottom of your Zoom window or star nine on your phone window now, so we can see the number of people wishing to testify this evening.

3:30

If you're speaking in person, please sign up at the back of the room if you have not done so already.

3:35

Your name or the last four digits of your phone number will be called when it is your turn to speak.

3:39

Clerk, will you please read?

3:41

This is a time set for public comment.

3:43

Speakers are asked to identify the specific legislation they wish to address.

3:49

Okay.

3:49

I would like to remind everyone to please keep your comments respectful, relevant, focused, and on topic.

3:55

We strive to present or to create a uh a comment period where people can feel respected and share a wide variety of viewpoints and acknowledge that we may hear comments that conflict with our values to ensure that speakers can express their First Amendment constitutional rights.

4:09

We ask that you refrain from clapping, cheering, booing, or otherwise being disruptive.

4:14

Tonight you will have 90 seconds to make your remarks, so please be mindful of the time frame.

4:19

As always, you are not required to use all of your time to make your point.

4:23

If you cannot remain on topic, you will be given two warnings.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████24%
Environmental Protection██████████████████18%
Public Comment████████████12%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████12%
Public Engagement████████8%
Labor Standards██████6%
Workforce Development█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Homelessness███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting - August 12, 2025

The Tacoma City Council met on August 12, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered routine consent items, a settlement for a police vehicle collision, a flag display resolution, creation of a 15-member Labor Standards Task Force, and a public hearing on updates to the South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District Code. Public comment and community forum sessions featured strong opinions on workers' rights, groundwater protection, and other city issues. Councilmember Sidalgate was absent.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution 41734: Awarded a contract to Dobbs Peterbilt, LLC for $513,652 (plus 10% contingency, total $565,017) for a compressed natural gas front load truck from the Solid Waste Fund. Adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinance 29047: Vacated portions of 6th Avenue and North Prospect Street to cure building encroachments (Dazaifu LLC et al.). Adopted unanimously.
  • Payments: Approved payroll ($22,860,808.50) and other payments ($32,924,806.00) for a total of $55,785,614.50 for the period 07/14/2025–07/27/2025. Adopted unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

On Resolution 41735 (Labor Standards Task Force):

  • Rose Gunderson (Washington Retail Association): Supported the task force as a balanced approach, contrasting it with the proposed Workers' Bill of Rights (Measure 2).
  • Jonathan Potdall (Tacoma Community College Federation of Teachers): Opposed the task force, calling it a delay tactic. Stated that over 10,000 Tacomans signed the Workers' Bill of Rights petition and urged council not to suppress the initiative.
  • Julie Anderson (Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce): Supported the task force, citing concerns about Measure 2's definitions of covered employers, scheduling, and enforcement.
  • Devin Wright Al Kelly (Tacoma for All): Expressed anger over the council's handling, alleging the task force is meant to kill the Workers' Bill of Rights. Criticized the mayor's Friday meeting as lacking public comment.
  • Pam Ketzner: Retired nurse, argued for a higher minimum wage based on her own wages in 1996.
  • Ty Moore (Tacoma for All): Called the task force a dishonest maneuver and announced a lawsuit filed against the city for delaying the ballot.
  • Ann Dorn (Tacoma for All): Expressed disappointment, urged council to let voters decide, and referenced the filing of a lawsuit.
  • Katherine Lee (Tacoma Democratic Socialists of America): Criticized the delay, noting past opposition to tenant rights initiatives that were later claimed by council members.

On the South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District Code:

  • Several speakers (Kathy Irwin, Gemini, Heidi Stevens, Stacy Oaks, John Allen, Michelle Reich, Kyle Jolly Boy, Kit Burns, Tyler Daniels, Chad Sutter, Ryan Spence, Ifa Pasquale, Marilyn Kimmerling, Teresa Evans) criticized the proposed updates as vague, lacking best available science, and failing to address key concerns such as the mega warehouse and impervious surface coverage. Many urged stronger protections and clearer enforcement.
  • Chad Sutter (Center Metals) and Ryan Spence (Chamber/MIC) raised concerns about unclear water quality standards and prohibitions affecting industrial users.
  • Written comments were submitted by seven individuals.

Community Forum:

  • Gemini (Climate Alliance of South Sound): Criticized use of public funds for ShotSpotter and the task force ($50,000), calling it an attack on democracy.
  • April Smith and an unnamed speaker: Raised concerns about food desert after Fred Meyer closure at S. 72nd & Pacific, linked to crime and lack of police response.
  • Michelle Reich: Urged council to pass a genocide resolution regarding Gaza.
  • Kyle Jolly Boy: Criticized city’s handling of homelessness and addiction, mentioning his own recovery.
  • Kit Burns: Expressed disappointment that the streets initiative was not reintroduced after failing, noting high voter support for schools and parks bonds.
  • Barb Church: Criticized public engagement process for the sub-area plan, claiming promises of early and often input were not kept.
  • Ifa Pasquale: Thanked community members for solidarity and criticized city policies on environment, workers, and immigrants.
  • Marilyn Kimmerling: Expressed upset over council delaying Prop 2 (Workers' Bill of Rights) and urged transparency.
  • Teresa Evans: Appreciated recent bike lane painting and emphasized safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
  • Jin Lee (La Resistencia): Accused Tacoma Police Department of being used by GEO to retaliate against volunteers helping detainees.
  • Mark Andrews (Climate Alliance): Criticized procedural delays and referenced upcoming elections.
  • John Allen (Disquali Environmental): Asked council to clarify authority for water quality regulations and add a waiver process for prohibited uses.
  • Tyler Daniels: Raised safety concerns about Sound Transit light rail construction quality and alleged misconduct.

Discussion Items

  • Settlement Approval: Motion to authorize $230,000 settlement for Dorothy and Ellis Russ vs. City of Tacoma related to a 2020 police vehicle collision. Approved unanimously.
  • Indian National Flag Display: Motion to display flag on August 15, 2025, for India's 79th Independence Day. Approved unanimously. Mayor noted it is a one-time request.
  • Resolution 41735 – Labor Standards Task Force: Councilmember Hines presented the resolution on behalf of the mayor. It creates a 15-member task force with $50,000 in council contingency funds. Councilmember Diaz expressed concerns about rushing, cost, and lack of transparency. Mayor Woodards argued the task force is necessary to have community conversations beyond the initiative. Adopted (vote count not specified; aye and nay heard, declared adopted).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda adopted unanimously.
  • Settlement approved ($230,000) unanimously.
  • Indian flag display authorized unanimously.
  • Labor Standards Task Force created (Resolution 41735) — adopted with opposition from Councilmember Diaz.
  • Public hearing held on South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District Code; no vote taken. Next steps: public hearing debrief at August 19 study session, first reading August 26, final reading September 9.
  • Councilmember Sidalgate excused from the meeting.
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:35 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I would like to call to order the city council meeting of August 12th 2025. Clerk, will you please call the rule? Councilmember Bushnell. Present. Deputy Mayor Daniels. Here. Councilmember Diaz. Here. Councilmember Hines. Here. Councilmember Rumba. Here. Councilmember Sidalgate, absent. Councilmember Scott. Here. Councilmember Walker. Here. Mayor Woodards. Here. Thanks, Mayor. All right. Please join me and listen to the land acknowledgement and flag salute led by Councilmember Scott, followed by a moment of silence. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Piola people where they make their home and speak the Lachute seed language. Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence. All right. Starting off with agenda modifications. Are there any modifications to the agenda this evening? Seeing none, uh, we'll move on to the consent agenda. I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions numbers 41734 and final reading of ordinance two nine zero four seven. Second. Are there any questions, comments, or corrections? All right, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Sorry, guys. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, signify by saying nay. All right. The consent agenda is declared adopted. Uh we have no proclamations, recognitions, or presentations this evening. So we're gonna move on to public comment. On tonight's agenda, there are three opportunities to speak or for people to comment. Under public comment, you can speak about motions, resolutions, and ordinances on tonight's agenda, except for ordinance number two nine zero four seven for which a public hearing has already been held. Under the public hearing um opportunity tonight, you can speak about the proposed amendments to the South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District Code as recommended by the planning commission. Under community forum, which is held at the end of the meeting. You can speak about items over which a city council has jurisdictions. These forms are intended to give speakers the opportunity to share their viewpoints and feedback with the city council to aid in our decision making and is not meant to be a back and forth dialogue. Your remarks should be directed towards the city council and not at individual staff members. If you wish to speak under the public comment period, press the raise the hand button near the bottom of your Zoom window or star nine on your phone window now, so we can see the number of people wishing to testify this evening. If you're speaking in person, please sign up at the back of the room if you have not done so already. Your name or the last four digits of your phone number will be called when it is your turn to speak.

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