I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of August 19th, 2025.

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Councilmember Bushnell.

Present.

Councilmember Deputy Mayor Daniels is absent.

Councilmember Diaz.

Here.

Councilmember Hines.

Here.

Councilmember Ramba.

Here.

Councilmember Sidalgay is absent.

Councilmember Scott?

Here.

Councilmember Walker.

Here.

And Mayor Woodards.

Here.

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

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

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

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God and indivisible with liberty and justice for all the are there any modifications to the agenda this evening?

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

I move to adopt the consent agenda.

Oh, do I have to beat this too?

Okay.

Resolution.

I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolution number 41736.

Second.

All right, are there any are there any council questions or corrections?

All right, 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 the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics Washington, I'd like to invite Theo Milner, Special Olympics Washington Athlete and a part of the Tacoma School District's transition program, and Denny Eliason, board president for Special Olympics of Washington to the podium as I read the proclamation and this recognition, and I'll invite anybody else who is here from Special Olympics to join to join Denny and Theo at the podium.

Anyone else who is here from Special Olympics, and I'll call you by name if you don't come up.

There we go.

I thought I recognized some Special Olympics people.

All right.

Whereas for 50 years, Special Olympics Washington has inspired communities across our state through inclusive sports training, health programming, leadership development, and community engagement for individuals with and without intellectual and development disabilities.

And whereas Special Olympics Washington is more than a sports organization, it is a movement rooted in dignity, empowerment, and inclusion, enriching the lives of more than 12,000 participants and their families, including many here in Tacoma.

And whereas the City of Tacoma has been proud to stand alongside this remarkable organization, most recently as the host of the 2025 State Spring Games and the first ever opening ceremony held at our very own Chini Stadium.

A historic milestone in this 50th anniversary.

And whereas the spirit continues to grow through programs like unified champion schools, inclusive health initiatives, youth leadership, and tribal partnerships, ensuring that every athlete, volunteer, and supporter has a place to belong and thrive.

And whereas their passion and dedication, athletes, families, coaches, volunteers, and law enforcement partners across Tacoma have strengthened the mission and future of Special Olympics Washington, demonstrating the power of community and the impact of simply showing up.

Now, therefore, I, Victoria R.

Woodards, Mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council and the over 225,000 residents of Tacoma to hereby recognize the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics Washington in the city and invite residents to join us as we mark this anniversary and look to the future with a renewed commitment to building a more inclusive city where equity, access, and opportunity are guaranteed for every person of every ability.

Please join me in a round of applause.

And I'd like to call on Theo and Denny to make a few comments.

Theo, do you want to go first?

I like playing in fight sports because it's fun competing and being a part of a team.

I like making new friends and meeting people from other teams.

It gives me a chance to get little exercise and being outdoors too.

I think Special Olympics is important because it gives people with disabilities a chance to play sports and feel included.

Good job, Theo.

All right, Denny.

Excuse me.

Thank you, Madam Mayor, and good evening, everyone.

My name is Denny Elias, and I currently serve as the board chair for Special Olympics Washington.

We really want to extend our thanks, certainly for this proclamation, but also for the leadership of the mayor and everyone on the council as it relates to a first of its kind partnership that we are developing here in the state of Washington.

That includes certainly the city, but also the county, Park Stocoma, the school district, and Special Olympics.

And the thought here is that we all serve people with intellectual disabilities in a slightly different way, but often in the same way.

And we wanted to bring everyone together to really maximize resources to make sure that we are serving this community in the way that uh it deserves.

Um I'm also pleased, and I think the mayor uh referred to this in the proclamation.

We are actually moving our headquarters here to Pierce County, where we hope uh that this community can be the hub of Special Olympics uh throughout all the state of Washington.

So uh thank you so much uh for your leadership uh for your support, and we look forward to another 50 years of a great relationship moving forward.

Thank you, Danny.

And before we we ask you to come forward, I'm gonna ask Councilmember Walker, who was able to be um at that kickoff at Teenie Stadium.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it, but she was able to be there, and I'd like to offer her an opportunity to make a few comments.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I just want to add to what has been said in the proclamation and what you have all said.

I did have the opportunity to attend, and that parade before, as part of the opening ceremonies before the Rainier's game was so joyful, and it was, I mean, thousands I think of athletes that that participated in the parade um city after city from Washington State here in Tacoma with so much pride and excitement.

And I know our chief Patty Jackson was there, and a bunch of folks on the TPD team were there giving high fives to athletes.

I mean, I I won't miss it again.

It was just so fun and so joyful, and so thank you for bringing that to Tacoma and considering us partners in in the Games every year.

It was really a joyful event, and I'm looking forward to next year already.

Thanks.

Thank you, Councilmember Walker.

Um I had the opportunity, um, Danny, it must have been over a year or so ago, um, to sit down at lunch with Josh Garcia and uh from Superintendent of Tacoma Public Schools and Sean Sylvia, um the CEO of Parks Tacoma, and we had this conversation about what this could potentially look like with a stronger relationship with Tacoma.

And as you all celebrate your 50th year, I thought, you know, we were talking, we were just really thinking about you know, how can we how can we have this this um these uh celebrations in Tacoma?

Because I remember going to PLU a couple of times, and you're right, Councilmember Walker, it is such an incredible feeling, and there's so much energy and excitement.

And we talked about what was what was possible, um, what we thought could be possible, and now here we are, um, once dreamed about what's possible, and now we're here.

Um, and although I missed it, I heard incredible things.

So I just I want to thank first of all, Councilmember Walker and and and our chief Patty Jackson and all of our police department, but all of those who participated and supported Special Olympics, not just on that day, but year round.

And then Denny, I want to thank you and and the whole team at Special Olympics for the work that you all do across the state that allows that allows people to participate in a way that is meaningful to them and to provide that opportunity.

So to you as board chair as a volunteer, but to all of the staff who do this work, to the CEO who do this work every single day.

Thank you so much.

And then finally, I save the best for last.

Um, Theo, thank you so much.

Thank you so much for taking the time to be here and for being brave enough to stand at that podium and share your thoughts on why you like the Special Olympics and why you participate.

You are the reason that we do this, and we are very grateful for you and glad that we can provide this opportunity.

And we do look forward to celebrating 50 more years, and hopefully, in 50 years when we're celebrating, we're not just celebrating the anniversary of Special Olympics, which will be your hundredth anniversary, but we will also be celebrating your 50 years of being in Tacoma.

So that that's what we're hoping for.

We're really excited to welcome you to Tacoma and Pierce County.

Um, and and Theo, again, congratulations and thank you so much.

Please come forward to accept your um proclamation.

All of you come around, all of you come around.

All right, everybody's a small one, two, three, one more.

One, two, three.

As they take their seats, I also um also want to recognize in the group uh this evening that we had Mary Doe, the CE, the president and CEO of Special Olympics Washington.

So, Mary, thank you so much for joining us, and Ryn Brady, who's another board member.

Thank you all so much for being here this evening.

All right, uh we are um going to recognize from the back from the 80s group this evening.

So, would you all um they were our participants um to uh the Rainier to Rustin, and we have Haley Falk, who's the Business Services Manager for Environmental Services, Trevor Perkins, who is the senior site development engineer for planning and development services, Colton Um Hathy, and uh Kyle Winholz.

Um, and here they are at the podium.

All right, let me read this recognition.

Um, whereas the Rainier to Rust and Relay is a celebrated annual event that brings together runners from across the region to participate in the 50-mile journey from the base of Mount Rainier to the shores of Puget Sound, promoting endurance, camaraderie, and community spirit.

And whereas the mayor's cup division of the relay features teams representing city governments from Carbonado, Wilkerson, Buckley, South Prairie, Ording, Puala, Sumner, Fife, Tacoma, and Rustin, highlighting the commitment of these mayors to wellness and friendly inner city competition since 2013.

And whereas the city's team back from the 80s included Trevor Perkins, Haley Falk, Colton Hafee, and Kyle Wenholtz, and exemplified exceptional teamwork preparation and perseverance.

And whereas the Tacoma team completed the 2025 Rainier to Rustin relay in an impressive six hours and 16 minutes, earning first place in the Mayor's Cup division and seventh overall out of 1499 runners and 300 Rayleigh relay teams of two, three, four, or six runners.

And whereas their outstanding performance brings pride to the city by returning the cup to our city for the first time since 2017.

And now, therefore, I, Victoria R.

Wordard's mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council and the over 225 residents of Tacoma, do hereby recognize back from the 80s for their remarkable achievement in the Rainier to Rustin Relay Mayor's Cup and thank them proudly for representing the city of Tacoma.

Please join me in a round of applause.

Woo.

Now tonight it really is my honor.

And you all you all at home will soon see what I'm talking about, why I made that face and why everybody here on the on the dais was laughing just a little bit while I was trying to read the proclamation.

But I want to recognize uh the back from the 80s relay team for their remarkable achievement in the 2025 Rainier to Rust and Relay.

Um I also want to thank uh John Shelby, founder of the Rainier to Rustin Relay and the Mayor's Cup, which gives cities along the Foothills Trail an opportunity for friendly competition.

With an incredible dedication and perseverance, our team brought the mayor's cup home to Tacoma once again, and it will be proudly displayed outside the mayor's office until next year's winner takes ownership of it, which means our team again, and they'll be bringing that trophy back home to Tacoma again next year.

But on behalf of the city council and the people of Tacoma, I really want to take this opportunity to congratulate Trevor, Haley, Colton, and Kyle.

Um, and thank you all so much for agreeing to run the race, but more importantly, for bringing home the trophy to Tacoma.

And I'll let you all have a few words of Haley if you want to talk on behalf of the team, and then we'll let everybody see what we're all smiling about.

All right, good evening, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Council members.

Um, I'm Haley Folk, and when I'm not working here, I am the president of Tacoma Runners, uh local 501c3.

And it is our honor to accept this proclamation on behalf of bringing home uh this cup to Tacoma.

Um, all four of us are members of Tacoma Runners, and our aim is to create community through running.

Uh Tacoma Runners was started 15 years ago when our founder posted to Twitter asking people to meet.

Uh now we average 65 runners every Thursday and nearly uh 50 different local businesses a year is where we attend.

Uh we have members aging from toddlers and strollers to retirees.

Please don't take offense to that, but I didn't know the right anyway.

Um older people, seasoned runners, seasoned runners.

There you go.

Um lots of miles.

Uh we were asked to participate in this year's Mayor Cup.

We jumped at the opportunity.

The friendly competition between cities is a great idea to further the awareness to the foothill trails and the bike pedestrian paths.

We eagerly await next year's race, and we invite you all to lace up and run with us on any given Thursday or Saturday.

Uh and please do consider us for future Mayor's Cup uh competitions.

We like to defend our title and keep the cup here at City Hall.

Great, thank you very much.

All right, well, would what our our our visitor would you like to um bring that trophy here and present it to the mayor?

And then everyone can see who you are, or everyone can see what you are.

Is Sasquatch or thank you very much for the presentation?

Every year.

I come out who wants to present this beautiful made by the Museum of Glass.

Beautiful.

To the winning team of those teams sponsored by mayors along the 50-mile route of the Rainier to Rustin Rail Trail Relay, sponsored by the Four Hills Trail Coalition.

I am honored to make this presentation to the winning team because they didn't just win against order, they clubbered them.

They came in seventh place out of 300 teams.

That's remarkable.

They have projected rights.

And I'm too hot to keep going.

Yeah, thank you very much for doing what you did.

And congratulations.

Well, you no, don't go anywhere.

Will you please stay here?

And I would like to invite um the team members to come forward.

Um, I may get to keep this in my office, but I want to make sure that each of you have something to keep in your office.

So please come forward and accept your individual trophies and a proclamation.

And I'd like you to join us for the picture.

Come forward.

So, Haley.

Trevor.

Yes, Trevor.

Colton.

Thank you.

And to Kyle.

And listen, Sasquatch, you get one too.

Now, if you'll turn around, I'll hold up the cup.

You're gonna put your mask and you're gonna put your there we go.

I'm sure people at home are just terrified right now.

All right.

Okay.

Hold up the cups.

All right, everybody.

One, two, three.

Okay, good.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Let's give her a round of applause.

Thank you guys so very much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Could you ask them why they called back to the 80s?

Oh, okay.

Okay, wait, there's a question here, Haley.

Um, why are you guys called back to the 80s?

Because you're obviously not back to the 80s because I'm an 80s girl, so um Kyle.

Kyle.

Kyle, why are you called back to it?

Um, well, we were coordinated.

A lot of uh people wear um costumes, and so we were in like neon yellow and pink and oh, so that's why you're back to the 80s.

Okay.

But um yeah, that's it.

Councilmember Rumba was not gonna let that go.

She needed the answer to that.

Thank you, Councilmember Ramba.

Now we all know why.

All right.

Um we are now gonna move um move on uh to our final recognition or to our final presentation tonight.

And for the jobs 253 presentation, I would like to invite um Stephanie Gletzky, career and college readiness director from Tacoma Public Schools, and Deborah Trevoro, and Deborah Trevorow, community and economic from community and economic development, to the podium to begin the presentation.

You noted my name is Deborah Trevaro, and I'm from the community and economic development department.

I manage the city of Tacoma's work with Tacoma Public Schools and the Jobs 253 program.

Thank you for having us all here to recognize this great program.

Over 1,000 students have participated in the program over the last 10 plus years.

And tonight, first we're gonna have you meet Stephanie Gleniski from Tacoma Public Schools, and then I'll share about the work groups that hosted students this year, and then you'll hear from two of our students.

Stephanie Awesome.

Um great, thank you for having us here.

It's an honor to be here today as we recognize the important work of our students in the Jobs 253 program.

I'm excited to join Tacoma School District as their career and college readiness director and to continue building the strong partnerships with the city of Tacoma.

Programs like jobs 253 empower students by providing them with real-world experiences and valuable opportunities to prepare them for the future.

I look forward to supporting and expanding our efforts together.

Thank you, Stephanie.

Um, this year at the city, we had several student placements and hosts from Tacoma venues and events, both Jasmine Collie and Tiffany Bestwick each hosted a student from TPU.

Roe Gonder Rood hosted a student, and from the Environmental Services Lab, Terry Elliott hosted two students.

So the program is growing here, bringing in more students, and it's been great.

Um, from our students.

First, you'll hear from Alexa, who entered interned at the city manager's office with Haley Campbell.

Good afternoon, Madam Mayor and Council members.

My name is Alexia Rowe, and I have recently graduated from Stadium High School, and we'll begin this fall at Tacoma Community College.

I want to begin by thanking you for giving me the opportunity to be part of this internship through the Job C5D program with Tacoma Public Schools.

Over the past five weeks, I was able to rotate through several different groups within the city manager's office, including the City Council, Media and Communications, TV Tacoma, and the Center for Strategic Priorities.

Each of these experiences gave me a closer look at the important work that happens every day to keep our city running.

It was a it was an eye-opening, it was eye-opening to see how many people work behind the scenes to serve our city.

Through this internship, I learned not only how local government operates, but also how collaboration, communication, and equity play a role in decision making.

One of my most memorable moments was getting to see how different teams like media and communication or TV Tacoma share information with residents.

This internship has given me a stronger sense of what it means to serve your community, and it has inspired me to continue pursuing political science in the future.

I'm I am very grateful to the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Schools, and the Jobs C53 program for making this possible, and to all of you for welcoming welcoming me and allowing me to learn so much.

Thank you.

Okay.

And next you'll hear from Connor, who interned in the finance department with Lisa Sandkile from the budget office, Chris Oldenburg from Tax and License, Tad Carlson from Purchasing, and LaToya Mason from 311.

Good evening, everyone.

So my name is Connor Garenio Miyan.

I recently graduated from Lincoln High School and will soon attend the University of Washington in Seattle.

So yeah, I served in the finance departments of the city and all of them scattered around.

The people here look up to each other and depend on one another.

It really stuck with me to see how every hand has a role in keeping a steady structure.

I learned to trust others and saw how the city plays its role in maintaining a community with love and respect that they may that they can.

But I believe the most important thing I learned here was expanding my confidence and ambition.

I met a lot of amazing people here who were really kind and welcoming.

It truly felt like a family here.

I talked to many people who shared their backgrounds and own experiences and inspired me to look deeper into my own ambitions for a greater future.

It was great working for the city of Tacoma for these past few months.

I truly hope to come back one day and serve this community with new ideas and greater knowledge.

Thank you so much for hosting us.

And last we have Mia who served with Tacoma Venues and Events.

Hello, my name is Mia Filano.

I am going to be a sophomore at Stadium High School this upcoming year.

And being a part of this experience has definitely given me a taste of how a proper functioning work environment is and feels like for adults and what it could potentially look like for me in the future.

I've definitely gained a deeper appreciation for the amount of time and effort people put into their jobs and how hardworking these people are.

That's all I have to say.

Thank you so much.

And yeah, well, um, as you take your seats, let me just say um thank you all so much.

Um thank you to um to the adults who to the employees here at the city who hosted.

Um thank you to Tacoma Public Schools and and um Deborah, thank you to you for leading the program for the city of Tacoma.

I remember when we first started this program and we called it Summer Jobs 253.

Um, and we did summer jobs just for a while, and then we removed the word summer because we did it year-round, and that just shows um how the program is growing and how the interest of of young people in this community um is growing.

I want to say to each one of um the young people who um who got the opportunity to serve um here over the past five weeks.

Um, first of all, so incredibly impressed by each one of you and the fact that you would take advantage of an opportunity like this to learn um to learn more about city government and what it takes, you know, to do the kind of jobs that happen here at the city.

But the other thing I want to remind each one of you of is that um wherever your next steps are as you go off to college or or technical school, wherever you decide to go get that next second level of education.

Um, that the city of Tacoma is not just a place for you to learn what people do, but we welcome you back to be an employee at the city of Tacoma.

And so as you get to a point in your life where you're applying for jobs and you're looking for a place to work, I want you to know that you don't have to go work in another city.

You don't have to move to a different location.

You can come right back here to the city of Tacoma, whether that is the city in this these four walls or the city as a whole.

And you'll come back and work in the city of Tacoma, but more importantly, that you'll stay engaged.

Um, whether that's through our boards and commissions or whatever, however, the opportunity presents itself.

We hope that you all have learned something here that makes you want to be a part of making your city better.

And there are lots of ways for you to engage doing that.

But at the end of the day, there can also be a job here for you when you finished your postsecondary education.

So, congratulations to each one of you.

Thank you for being a part of uh jobs two five three.

And I invite you to come forward, all of you to come forward, and let's take a picture together to commemorate um this last week of your work here with the city.

Sorry.

Let's give them another round of applause.

Congratulations.

Um I want to now note for the record that um I have a direct interest in the settlement item on tonight's agenda under item number eight.

To avoid any conflict of interest, I will be recusing myself from consideration and for the discussion of this matter.

At this time, I will be excusing myself from the remainder of this evening's meter meeting, and we'll be passing the gavel to our presiding officer for the evening, Councilmember Walker.

And with that, I will call a five-minute recess and come back, and Councilmember Walker will uh gavel the meeting back in.

Um and we'll move forward from that.

We stand in a five minute recess,

All right.

Um, we are back calling the meeting back to order, and we have a motion before us for consideration.

I move to appoint Council Member Walker as presiding officer of the city council for this meeting.

Second.

Are there any questions or comments?

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Um, any opposed?

The motion is declared adopted.

Moving on to public comment.

On tonight's agenda, there's one opportunity for people to comment.

Under public comment, you can speak about motions, resolutions, and ordinances on tonight's agenda.

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

The remarks should be directed to the city council and not at individual staff members.

If you want to speak under the public comment period, press the raise hand button near the bottom of your Zoom window or star nine on your phone now.

So we can see the number of people wishing to testify.

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

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

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

If you remain off topic at that point, we will have to move on and we'll end your time.

Um all right.

I will move to our sign-in list and we'll start with Michelle Reich.

Michelle Reich.

I have a little history with the Special Olympics.

Back in 1973, while stationed at Fort Bragg, uh, I had the opportunity to be part of Special Olympics.

Uh it all started when five Navy SEALs from Camp Lejeune ran in relay from Fort Bragg to from Fort Camp Lejeune to Fort Bragg, uh distance of 116 miles with a green glove, they called the green gauntlet, and they challenged the army team to run back and relay to beat their time.

The Marines ran to Fort Bragg in 14 hours, 30 minutes.

Uh Oz and Special Forces Army team that ran back to beat the Marines.

We ran there in 1345.

Uh and this was a part of a national publicity campaign for the Special Olympics, original Special Olympics.

So and uh after that, um they put me in their national publicity campaign in there as the poster persons for the National Special Olympics back in 73.

Yeah.

And uh so uh I have a lot of history uh with Special Olympics, and um that's gave me a springboard in the military because the Army started sponsoring me to go run a marathons around the country for a unit of choice recruiting and uh and so uh physical fitness and the special Olympics program was uh uh inspiration for all that.

And I I um remembered today uh all the nice uh things that happened during the events because we had uh uh Special Olympic programs in Cumberlands and uh County and uh North Carolina and and uh Padville County by Fort Bragg and uh it was uh a very good program, and so uh uh I have a lot of history with Special Olympics.

Thank you.

Thank you, Michelle.

Now we have Michelle Anderson Hi, my name is Michelle Anderson, and I'm a resident of District 3.

I am here today to speak on agenda item 25-0757 and have it on the record that I'm against Tacoma City Council authorizing the settlement and payout of $600,000 to Timothy Ranking and Catherine Chatherine Chin.

Ranking and Chin's assertion that city officials incited hatred is untrue.

The work and advocacy by Manny Ellis's family, Tacoma Action Collective, and everyday Tacomans is what led to city officials speaking out in the first place.

And the will of the people is what led to Rankine being held responsible for his actions, losing his job and reputation.

Rankeen's reputation and his marriage were not adversely impacted by statements made by city officials, but rather by his own actions.

You think being acquitted for the murder of Manny Ellis would be enough for Rankeen, but here he is trying to profit off the murder of Manny Ellis, and we cannot allow this.

So I am here to ask Tacoma City Council to remember that they are here to serve their constituents and not to add to the long list of injustices Manny and his family have endured by authorizing this settlement.

We are at a turning point in our country.

You have the this is the time to be brave.

You have the time, you have the chance to do the right thing and be brave.

Thank you.

Thank you, Michelle.

Now, Andy Shandstrom.

Hello.

My name is Andy Shandstrom.

I am a district three resident as well.

Also here to speak about agenda item number eight.

Uh number 25-0757.

Uh, given there's no court case referenced in the agenda item.

The claims of Officer Rankin and his wife are likely in the internal city process stage.

Whether you have enough to vote tonight or if the vote happens at another time, I urge all members of the council to vote no on the motion and instead instruct the city to reject these claims.

Let Rankin and his wife pursue them in a court of law, allow a judge or a jury to decide.

Preferably a jury, so actual community members can decide whether statements from city officials cause damages to his reputation or whether it was the direct result of his participation in the murder of Manny Ellis.

Again, I urge all council members to vote no on the motion and agenda item 25 0757.

I also encourage each council member to member to vote loudly and clearly so we know which of you condone a murderer and his wife profiting off of his time in the public eye.

Please fight these claims instead of settling them.

Thank you.

Thank you, Andy.

Um Zai or Zig Andrea.

My name is Xandria O'Shea Tucker.

Ma'am, I wrote how you do.

All right.

Can you hear me?

Hello, hi guys.

Um first I want to give honor to God who's ahead of my life.

Wouldn't be no me without him.

Uh you have to excuse my appearance because I had to sleep outside last night, but I'm here to talk about um this $15,000 movie.

That we're um, you know, what is the movie about?

I I don't I'm this is my first time getting to know this.

Do you guys know?

Have you seen it?

Because I can tell you firsthand the realities that we are facing in Tacoma that are not being addressed in this room.

And I no response.

Are you guys aware that people are dying outside?

That you guys are spending $15,000 on a movie, but there's so there's people being decapitated up there that the that there guys is police are harassing mothers with children.

Are you guys aware that people are being illegally evicted and harassed by the police while you guys are up here clapping?

I don't I didn't think so.

Maybe you guys need to walk around the block with me or something like that, because this movie right here, Great City or Grid of Destiny City of Tacoma documentary.

We just want to make sure that that's alive and real while people are up there getting kicked out of hospitals with bullet holes in them, but naked with bullet holes and nowhere to go.

They're not getting seen by these hospitals, their police are getting called at food banks, children are getting snatched from homes left and right, left and right, no due process.

You know, are you guys aware of these things?

I I just want to know.

No response.

Are you guys aware that the Washington State Attorney General is refusing service to the BIPOC community?

Are you aware that majority of the the uh African Americans from the uh upper Tacoma, upper Tacoma, the hilltop area are dying and or dead?

Do you know who I am?

My name is Xandria O'Shea Tucker, and I speak for my people.

Oh thank you for your comments, Andrea.

All right.

Um, I'm gonna close public comment and we'll move on to our regular agenda.

Um we have a motion before us for consideration.

I move to authorize the city's full and final settlement of all claims against the city in the matter of Turner et al.

versus City of Tacoma, Pierce County cause number 23-2-0-6685-1, related to a pedestrian and vehicle collision on July 6th, 2018, at the intersection of South Twelfth and South Puget Sound Avenue upon payment by the city in the amount of $2,300,000 and execution of a release in the form approved by the city attorney.

Second.

Thank you.

Any comments, questions, or comments?

Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed.

The motion is declared adopted.

We have another motion before us for consideration.

I move to authorize the city's full and final settlement of all claims asserted by the claimants.

Timothy Rankin and Catherine Chen against the city and its officers, elected or appointed, employees and volunteers arising on or after June 4th, 2020 to present upon payment by the city in the amount of $600,000 and execution of a release in a form approved by the city attorney.

Thank you.

Any questions or comments?

Uh Councilmember Scott.

Thank you, Councilmember Walker.

Um I wanted to take a moment uh as we obviously this is a as we've heard from a few commenters, and I'm sure there's a lot of other folks who have opinions.

Um is um looking at all the the various ways that things will impact the city.

Um and so when we're facing something like this, sometimes the best choice for us and the fiscally responsible choice for us is not always the choice that feels good for us as council members or you all as community members.

Um but there are just again, there's there are a lot of things that we have to consider as we go forward, especially uh knowing that we are dealing with a whole lot of things uh in the financial realm in this world in the city.

Uh and so I just want to take a moment to speak on that and say that you know, as a council member, um I have a responsibility to take a vote that is going to ultimately put us in the best place as a city.

Um, as an individual, I just always like to make sure that I take a moment to bring things back to the human side of things and thinking about the fact that Manny Ellis is not with us anymore.

He has a family who loved him.

Uh he has friends who loved him in a community who loved him.

Umny and I were the same age uh when he passed away.

And so I often think about um, you know, when you're younger and you you I'm 38 now.

Um, and at the time, like just when you're younger and you think, you know, they're hearing myself say I'm 38, I'm like, dang, that's old.

Um and the 20-year-old me definitely thinks that's old.

Uh but it I realize now just like not only how precious life is, but just how much more I feel that I have to share with the community with my loved ones, with my friends.

Um, and so it it really breaks my heart just knowing that Manny had a lot of life left, and uh people are not perfect, and we are flawed in a lot of ways.

Uh, but I I truly believe that you know I like to try to see the best in people, and I like to remember that people will often take the opportunity to rise to the occasion to uh be the person they were meant to be.

And it really breaks my heart for his family and his community and the folks that loved him, uh, not just uh his parents and uh his nieces and nephews or his siblings, uh, but the people at his church, uh the people who are helping him through recovery, the people who um loved his laugh and loved to talk sports with him, uh, and love to eat candy with him and all of the things that Manny enjoyed full-bodied as as a human uh and as a being that was present on this earth, and so um as we make really tough decisions and that are very nuanced and um not always they don't always feel good.

I just always want to make sure that we remember um that we're human and that at the end of the day, Manny Ellis was somebody who was cared for and cared about, and he cared for the city of Tacoma.

Um not in that capital C way that we all represent up here, but just as a place where he grew up and he lived and he loved, and so I just want to make sure that uh even in all of the ways in which that we um find ourselves debating a lot of things that I just don't want us to overlook the fact that Manny was a person and he deserved a chance to um be the best person he could be, and he deserved uh to still be here with us in a lot of ways.

So um again, as we are making that making this decision, I just wanted to remind us of that humanistic point and to uh call out the fact that sometimes we have to make decisions that don't always feel good.

So thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Scott.

Any other comments or questions?

All right, seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

All right, the motion is declared adopted.

We're moving on to appointments item nine.

Clerk, will you please read?

Resolution 41737 is a resolution reappointing individuals to the Board of Building Appeals.

I move to adopt resolution number 41737.

Second.

Great, thank you.

Um at the July 23rd, 2025 infrastructure planning and sustainability committee meeting.

The committee conducted an interview, reviewed applicants for incumbents, and recommended the reappointment of the following individuals to the Board of Building Appeals.

Nicholas Grossi, James Collins, and Michael Taggles.

Are there any questions or comments about these council member Rumba?

Are you do you have a comment?

All right, okay, you're just ready for the next one.

All those in favor of adopting resolution number 41737 signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The resolution is declared adopted.

Moving on to item number 10.

Clerk, will you please read?

Resolution number 41738 is a resolution of reappointing individuals to the Tacoma Tacoma Creates Advisory Board.

I move to adopt resolution number 41738.

Second.

I would like to call on council member Diaz for this item.

Thank you, presiding officer Walker.

At the July 22nd, 2025 Economic Development Committee meeting, the committee reviewed applications for incumbents for the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board and recommended the reappointment of the following individuals.

Faith Brown, Katie Matron, and Rowan Higley.

Great, thank you.

Are there any council questions or comments?

All right, seeing none, all those in favor of adopting resolution number 41738.

Signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The motion is declared or the resolution is declared adopted.

And as always, we invited the individuals being reappointed tonight to attend the city council meeting virtually or in person.

Is there anyone in the audience today?

Tacoma Creates.

Okay.

Um so whether you are here or watching virtually online or in the future, I want to make sure that we thank you for your service on the board of building appeals or the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board.

And we really appreciate your willingness to serve.

Please join me in a round of applause for our new appointees.

All right, moving on to item number 11.

This item will have a PowerPoint presentation.

Clerk, will you please read?

Resolution number 41739 is a resolution authorizing the execution of a multifamily housing 12 year limited property tax exemption agreement with Trotman Homes LLC for development of six multifamily market and regulated rate rental housing units located at 1420 South J Street in the downtown regional growth center.

I move to adopt resolution number 41739.

Second I'd like to call on Paul Baker Bacher.

Welcome.

Thank you, Presiding Officer Walker and City Council.

Um I'm Paul Bacher with Community and Economic Development, and I'll be presenting on resolution 41739.

For uh this resolution, Troutman Homes LLC is proposing to develop six new market rate and affordable units at oh there it goes at 1420 South J Street, located in the downtown regional growth center.

The project will be six units.

And on this slide, you can see a breakdown of the uh four one bedroom market rate and two one bedroom uh regulated rate.

And they will also have one parking stall.

Here's a photo of the site.

The project costs are estimated at eight uh eight hundred fifty thousand dollars and will provide four thousand labor hours of employment.

The total tax to be generated for the city over the life of this project is estimated at 74,500, and the property taxes to be exempted by the city are $18,000, leaving this project to provide a net positive impact to the city of $56,500.

And when the exemption is over, full property taxes will be assessed annually.

And that concludes my presentation.

Happy to answer any questions.

Great, thank you, Paul.

Any questions for Paul?

All right, looks like we're all set.

Thank you.

All those in favor of adopting resolution number 41739 signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The resolution is declared adopted.

Moving on to item number 12.

Clerk, will you please read?

Resolution number 41740 is a resolution authorizing the one-time use of council contingency funds and the amount of 15,000 dollars to sponsor the grit of destiny City of Tacoma documentary.

I move to adopt resolution number 41740.

Second.

Thank you.

And I would like to call in Councilmember Diaz again for this one.

Thank you again, presiding officer Walker.

I am introducing this resolution on behalf of Councilmember Sidalgay, who can't be with us tonight.

Um, this resolution authorizes the expenditure of $15,000 from the council contingency fund in support of the grit City of Destiny Grit of Destiny, City of Tacoma documentary, which will showcase the cultures, histories, and aspirations of Tacoma.

This supports the creation of a documentary to spotlight the voices of artists, elders, small business owners, students, and community leaders.

It hopes to capture the energy and diversity that make Tacoma thrive.

This film will be more than a conical, a chronicle of Tacoma's journey.

It will also demonstrate that Tacoma is a viable location for film production and will be a tool to attract national and international creative producers to Tacoma.

And I'm really grateful to um particularly Councilmember Sidalgay for all the work he did to bring this forward and excited to present it to council on his behalf as a co-sponsor.

Great.

Thanks, Councilmember Diaz.

Does anyone have questions for Council Member Diaz?

All right, excited about this project.

All those in favor of adopting resolution number 41740 signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Okay, the resolution is declared adopted.

Moving on to any to unfinished business.

Is there any unfinished finished business?

Moving on to reports by the city manager.

Acting city manager, do you have a report this evening?

Presiding Officer Walker, I do in fact have two items I'd like to share with you this evening.

One is coming from our Tacoma venues and events department.

The city welcomed almost a thousand guests to the region, generating almost 2,500 hotel room nights and over 1.7 million dollars in economic impact from that event.

That event generated well over $500,000 in direct revenue to the convention center and activated other spaces throughout our community, including receptions hosted at the Emerald Queen Casino.

So that was a big deal for us to host here.

Both vehicles will be used by the rescue mission to transport shelter residents to non-emergency medical services.

This added capacity will help reduce 911 calls for non-emergent transportation from the downtown adult shelter and enable the Tacoma Fire Department to better focus on emergency response throughout the city.

The final transfer of these shuttles was a result of collaboration of multiple departments that included the city's finance department, public works fleet services, legal, and our neighborhood and community services team.

And that's a big deal for us in terms of reducing the call volume at our uh at our shelter.

So really want to appreciate the hard work of staff and then also recognize Pierce Transit for that great partnership.

So thank you, presiding officer.

That's it for the evening.

Great, thank you, Acting City Manager.

Very exciting.

I know many, many people worked on that for many, many years to make it happen, and it will make a huge difference.

Um right, moving on to comments and committee reports.

I would like to call in Councilmember Rumba, Chair of the Community Vitality and Safety Committee.

Thank you, presiding um officer walker.

Hope I got that right.

Uh community vitality and safety has met twice since our last report on July 24th.

The committee received a briefing on a proposal to align the appointment processes, standards, qualifications, and requirements for all use seats on committees, boards, and commissions.

The proposal renames use seat to emerging leaders, aligns recruitment of those seats across CBCs, and directs the city manager to explore several activities across those seats.

This proposal was also discussed by the full city council at its August 12th study session and is expected to come to council for first reading September 23rd.

During the July 24th CVS meeting, the committee had also had discussion on how best to interact with seven CBCs that report to the committee.

On August 14th, neighborhood and community services staff presented a recommendation on distributing funds related to the building resilience against youth violence and exploitation or Brave program.

The city receives a total received a total of 21 eligible applications with $3.5 million in funds requested.

The Human Services Commission is recommending funding eight agencies with the 829,000 available to support this work.

Any contracts that meet the necessary threshold will come to full council for consideration.

Staff is expecting services to begin September 1st of this year.

The next CVS meeting will take place August 28th at 4 30 in room 248 of the Tacoma Municipal Building.

Virtual attendance options will be available for the public.

The agenda for the next meeting is rental housing code and landlord fairness code initiative update.

Um and that concludes my report.

Thank you.

Great.

Thank you, Councilmember Rumba.

Any questions for Councilmember Rumba?

Okay.

Um I am very excited about getting some money out the door for those for the youth violence.

That was a really good conversation, and I know we wanted to fund way more than we could, but um good stuff happening in the community.

All right, any final council comments?

All right, seeing none, I believe we have a couple excuse.

I move to excuse Councilmember Sidalgay and Council and Deputy Mayor Daniels from the meeting tonight.

Second.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

The motion is declared adopted.

I move to adjourn.

Second.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

The motion is adopted.

We stand adjourned.