Councilmember Diaz, you're on.

I'd like to call to order the City Council meeting of September 16th, 2025.

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Councilmember Bushnell.

Present.

Deputy Mayor Daniels.

Councilmember Diaz.

Here.

Councilmember Heinz.

Councilmember Rumba here.

Councilmember Sidalga.

Here.

Councilmember Scott.

Here.

Councilmember Walker.

Here.

Mayor Woodards.

Here.

Please join me in listening to the land acknowledgement and flag salute led by Councilmember Diaz, 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 Lashut Seed language.

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

One nation under God, indivisible liberties and justice.

Agenda modifications.

Are there any modifications to the agenda this evening?

All right, seeing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda.

I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolution number 415 41758.

Second.

Are there any council corrections, comments?

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

Aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, the consent agenda is declared adopted.

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

We have two ceremonials this evening.

And um for the Hispanic and Latinae Heritage Month proclamation, I would like to invite up Lisa Senkal from the Office of Management and Budget and Linda Cerna from Community and Economic Development to the podium as I read the proclamation.

Whoops, oh look, look, no, you're okay.

I was waiting for everybody to come up before I started reason reading.

Um whereas each year Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

And whereas the City of Tacoma recognizes the 2025 theme for Hispanic Heritage Month, Collective Heritage, honoring the past, inspiring the future, which celebrates individuals who are change agents in their communities, making significant contributions to social, environmental, and government affairs.

And whereas the city recognizes the diversity in identifying in the identification of those coming from the Americas, with Hispanic often being a preferred identifier for those of Spanish descent, and Latin A being a broader gender-inclusive identifier, which is often preferred, which is often a preferred identifier for those of indigenous or mixed descent.

And whereas today, more than 5% of city employees, 12% of the city's population, and 20% of the Tacoma public schools population are of Hispanic or Latina origin, and the cultural education and political influences of Hispanic and Latin Latina people can be seen and appreciated in all aspects of our lives.

Now, therefore, I, Victoria R.

Woodards, mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, and the over 225,000 residents who called Tacoma home.

Do hereby proclaim September 15th through October 15th, 2025 as Hispanic and Latina Heritage Month in the City of Tacoma and call on the people of Tacoma to share in this special annual tribute by learning and celebrating the century, the centuries old traditions that reflect the multi-ethnic and multicultural customs of the communities of Hispanic and Latin people who have positively influenced and enriched our nation, our society, and our city.

Please join me in a round of applause.

All right, I'd like to turn it over.

I'd like to turn it over to you all for comment.

Thank you.

And on behalf of our Latine five-member employee resource group leadership team for the city of Tacoma, we are honored to accept the proclamation today.

It is an honor to accept this proclamation, recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, and for adding language that will also include those identifying as Latina in this celebration.

This acknowledgment affirms the diversity of our cultures, our histories, and our contributions to Tacoma.

We thank you for shining a light on the many voices and traditions that strengthen our city.

We look forward to continuing to work alongside of you in various ways, including the work we are doing to become an official affinity group within the city, providing an inclusive community both internally and externally for future generations while honoring those who paved the way before us.

Thank you, Linda.

We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the council for your ongoing support of employee resource groups like ours.

This recognition inspires us to continue learning, growing, and collaborating as we build a stronger, more inclusive city and workforce and community.

We have named ourselves Puente, or bridge in English, and that stands for promoting unity, equity, networking, togetherness, and empowerment.

And here is an example of the logo that our wonderful Daniel Garcia with the Arts and Vitality Department and one of our leaders created this for us to use.

Thank you for honoring Hispanic Heritage Month and for celebrating the rich, diverse Latine experience here in Tacoma.

And thank you for this meaningful recognition.