OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, October 7, 2025
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, October 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:15:32

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Councilmember Romba, did you see you're on salute?

0:10

Thank you.

0:12

Got it.

0:26

I would like to call to order the city council meeting of October 7th, 2025.

0:30

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:33

Councilmember Bushnell.

0:35

Present.

0:36

Deputy Mayor Daniels?

0:37

Here.

0:37

Councilmember Diaz.

0:39

Councilmember Hines.

0:41

Councilmember Rumba?

0:42

Here.

0:42

Councilmember Sidalgay?

0:43

Here.

0:44

Councilmember Scott?

0:45

Here.

0:45

Councilmember Walker?

0:46

Here.

0:47

Mayor Woodards.

0:51

I think that was it here.

0:52

Thank you.

0:53

Deputy Mayor, you have quorum.

0:54

Okay, perfect.

0:55

Thank you.

0:56

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

1:03

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

1:10

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

2:13

Number one, we will be removing ordinance numbers two nine zero six one and two nine zero six two from the meeting and set them for over for first reading at the council meeting on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025.

2:25

We will also consider a substitute ordinance for Tacoma Creates and proposed motions.

2:30

And lastly, we will consider a revised substitute ordinance for the multifamily housing limited property tax exemptions.

2:38

Are there any additional modifications to the agenda this evening?

2:43

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

2:46

I move to adopt the consent agenda including resolutions numbers 41768 through 4170 and first and final reading of ordinance two nine zero six zero and first reading of ordinances numbers two nine zero six one and two nine zero six two.

3:01

Second.

3:02

Are there any questions, comments, concerns?

3:05

I move to remove the ordinance numbers two nine zero six one and two nine zero six two from tonight's meeting and set them over for first reading at to the October 14th, 2025 meeting on the regular agenda.

3:16

Second.

3:17

All right, all those in favor of setting the ordinances numbers two nine zero six one and two nine zero six two over to next week.

3:24

Please signify by saying aye.

3:26

Aye.

3:26

All those opposed signify by saying nay.

3:29

The motion is declared adopted.

3:33

All right, are there any other questions, comments, or corrections to the remaining items on the consent agenda?

3:38

I move to accept the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the hearing exammer for first and final reading of ordinance number two nine zero six zero.

3:45

Second.

3:46

All those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye.

3:50

Aye.

3:51

All those opposed, signify by saying nay.

3:54

All right, the the consent agenda is declared adopted.

3:58

Moving on to proclamations, recognitions, and presentations.

4:02

Uh we have three proclamations tonight.

4:05

Um we will be starting with proclaiming Saturday, October 11th, 2025, as Arbor Day and Green Tacoma Day, Green Tacoma Day.

4:15

Um for that I would like to bring up Lizzie Materi from the rest the restoration ecologist from Environmental Services, Jayla Smith, the planting director from the Tacoma Tree Foundation, and Jess Chandler from the Green Tacoma Partners, our Green Tacoma Partnership Manager from Pierce Conservation District to the podium as Councilmember Walker reads the proclamation.

4:39

Thank you, Deputy Mayor.

4:40

Whereas Tacoma's urban forest is an irreplaceable asset, essential to urban infrastructure and part of the greater ecosystem of the Puget Sound region, helping to reduce climate impacts.

4:51

And whereas the City of Tacoma recognizes that its resilient community can come together to enhance the ecology and livability of our neighborhoods now and in the future through the planting and stewardship of trees and native plants.

5:03

And whereas we celebrate the Green Tacoma Partnership, a collaborative effort between government, conservation partners, parks, educational institutions, and community organizations to engage Tacoma's in the restoration of our urban landscapes.

5:17

And whereas in 2025, Tacoma anticipates receiving its 32nd Tree City USA Award and Tacoma Powers 22nd Tree Line USA Award from the United States Commissioner of Public Lands.

5:30

And whereas the annual Green Tacoma Day and Arbor Day celebration on October 11, 2025, will feature native plant and tree planting, litter pickups, and other restoration activities at 13 sites throughout the city, along with other great activities in parks, neighborhoods, and green spaces throughout Tacoma to help increase public awareness and appreciation for the environmental and health benefits trees provide to our community.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████29%
Public Comment█████████████13%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Procedural█████████9%
Public Safety███████7%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Youth Programs█████5%
Historic Preservation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025

The Tacoma City Council met on October 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, public comment, the reauthorization of the Tacoma Creates cultural access program, amendments to the Multi-Family Housing Limited Property Tax Exemption (MFTE), the creation of an Emerging Leader position on city boards, and a public hearing on historic preservation code amendments. Key decisions included unanimous approval of Tacoma Creates reauthorization and passage of several resolutions and ordinances.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the Operational Strategy and Administrative Committee (September 12, 2025) and Public Utility Board meetings (August 27 and September 10, 2025).
  • Adopted Resolution No. 41768 awarding a $1,378,255 contract for architectural and engineering design services for Fire Station 7.
  • Adopted Resolution No. 41769 increasing the contract with McKinstry Co., LLC by $500,000 for facilities maintenance.
  • Adopted Resolution No. 41770 setting a hearing date for a street vacation request.
  • Approved first and final reading of Ordinance No. 29060 confirming the Final Assessment Roll for Local Improvement District No. 8651.
  • Moved first reading of Ordinances No. 29061 and 29062 (street vacations for University of Washington Tacoma) to the October 14, 2025 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Sulan Minarek urged the council to vote yes on the community ownership amendment, stating arts and cultural spaces are disappearing.
  • Isaiah Hunt thanked sponsors of the community ownership bill, emphasizing its importance for artists and businesses.
  • Lua Pritchard (Asia Pacific Culture Center) thanked the council for intent to reauthorize Tacoma Creates and supported code updates.
  • Michelle Reich spoke about Indigenous Peoples' Day, drawing parallels to the October 7 massacre and arguing indigenous peoples fight for land worldwide.
  • Kevin Smith criticized Ordinance 29059 for lacking prevailing wage protections, arguing tax breaks benefit developers while workers cannot afford housing.
  • Leon Nettles (Second Cycle) thanked the council for supporting Bike Stories and highlighted youth programs.
  • Kim Keith supported Tacoma Creates reauthorization and recommended the Tacoma Reads book.
  • Tanya Durand thanked the council for reauthorizing Tacoma Creates, noting it is the first such reauthorization on the West Coast.
  • Madison Mangialardi supported the Trick or Streets initiative, valuing community safety for children.
  • Gabby Goodsell encouraged approval of Trick or Streets, citing pedestrian dangers on Halloween.
  • Katie Maultron (Tacoma Creates Advisory Board) reiterated support for reauthorization and code updates.
  • Jasmine Brown (Swan Creek Art Academy) supported Tacoma Creates, thanking the council for allowing capital expenditure funding.
  • Katie Lappier (Tacoma Arts Live, Barefoot Collective) highlighted transformative impact of Tacoma Creates for both large and small organizations.
  • Courtney Chamberlain appreciated council support and praised staff for listening to community needs.
  • Jasmine Broadnacks spoke about the life-saving impact of creative spaces like Fabitat, urging support for Tacoma Creates.
  • JD Davis (Way Out Kids) supported Tacoma Creates, noting it helped produce Juneteenth events and reach underserved communities.

Discussion Items

  • Tacoma Creates Reauthorization (Ordinances 29057 and 29058): Council members spoke passionately about the program's impact. Mayor Woodards and Councilmembers Walker, Scott, and others highlighted that Tacoma Creates has provided over $30 million to more than 100 cultural organizations, producing over 5,000 programs reaching 4 million participants. A substitute ordinance (29058) was introduced to restructure funding categories, expand support for the Public School Cultural Access Program, and allow capital expenditure funding. Councilmember Rumbaugh introduced an amendment to align the youth position on the advisory board with the new Emerging Leader policy, which was adopted. The council also approved a motion to direct the city manager to schedule a study session on proposed criteria for Tacoma Creates capital funding.
  • Multi-Family Housing Limited Property Tax Exemption (Ordinance 29059): Councilmember Sidalge introduced Substitute No. 3, which adds a 30-day effective date, requires MFTE recording on title, and allows the eight-year exemption for four- to nineteen-unit projects only if owner-occupied and sold to households earning up to 150% of Area Median Income (AMI). Councilmember Walker expressed nervousness about the income restriction but supported the three-year review. Councilmember Hines noted the change removes the eight-year exemption for smaller rental projects, focusing on ownership. The substitute ordinance passed unanimously.
  • Emerging Leader Position (Ordinance 29056): Councilmember Rumbaugh presented the ordinance to rename and standardize youth/student positions as "Emerging Leader" positions across city boards and commissions. Councilmember Bushnell praised the consistency and leadership opportunities for youth. The ordinance passed unanimously.
  • Trick or Streets (Resolution 41774): Councilmember Hines introduced a $7,500 contingency fund request to sponsor Safe Streets in organizing street closures for Halloween. Councilmember Rumbaugh noted it came from a community member (Gabby Goodsell) and supports Vision Zero goals. The resolution passed unanimously.
  • Bike Stories (Resolution 41773): Councilmember Walker sponsored a $2,500 contingency fund request for Second Cycle's Bike Stories event, supporting youth cycling and climate goals. Passed unanimously.
  • Historic Preservation Code Amendments (Public Hearing): Reuben McKnight presented proposed amendments to Title 13, including changes to nomination processes, design review exemptions, and a new community heritage register. No public speakers or written comments were received, and the hearing was closed. First reading is scheduled for October 14, 2025.

Key Outcomes

  • Tacoma Creates reauthorized for seven years (Ordinance 29057 adopted unanimously). Substitute Ordinance 29058 (code updates) also adopted unanimously, with an amendment to align youth positions with the Emerging Leader policy. The council directed the city manager to schedule a study session on capital funding criteria.
  • Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) updates adopted (Substitute Ordinance 29059) with new ownership affordability requirements and a three-year review provision.
  • Emerging Leader ordinance (29056) adopted, standardizing youth positions citywide.
  • Trick or Streets (Resolution 41774) and Bike Stories (Resolution 41773) approved, each using council contingency funds.
  • Consent agenda adopted including routine approvals and contract awards.
  • Public hearing on historic preservation closed with no testimony; first reading set for October 14, 2025.
  • City Manager Report: City received a $10 million low-interest loan from the Washington State Public Works Board for Pulp Avenue and South 12th Street projects. Pothole Palooza is halfway complete, exceeding targets with 7,552 square yards (1.07 lane miles) paved.

Meeting Transcript

Councilmember Romba, did you see you're on salute? Thank you. Got it. I would like to call to order the city council meeting of October 7th, 2025. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Bushnell. Present. Deputy Mayor Daniels? Here. Councilmember Diaz. Councilmember Hines. Councilmember Rumba? Here. Councilmember Sidalgay? Here. Councilmember Scott? Here. Councilmember Walker? Here. Mayor Woodards. I think that was it here. Thank you. Deputy Mayor, you have quorum. Okay, perfect. Thank you. Please join me in listening to the land acknowledgement and flag salute led by Councilmember Rumbaugh, followed by a moment of silence. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Pial people where they make their home and speak the La Shitsi language. Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence. Number one, we will be removing ordinance numbers two nine zero six one and two nine zero six two from the meeting and set them for over for first reading at the council meeting on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025. We will also consider a substitute ordinance for Tacoma Creates and proposed motions. And lastly, we will consider a revised substitute ordinance for the multifamily housing limited property tax exemptions. Are there any additional modifications to the agenda this evening? Seeing none, we will move on to the consent consent agenda. I move to adopt the consent agenda including resolutions numbers 41768 through 4170 and first and final reading of ordinance two nine zero six zero and first reading of ordinances numbers two nine zero six one and two nine zero six two. Second. Are there any questions, comments, concerns? I move to remove the ordinance numbers two nine zero six one and two nine zero six two from tonight's meeting and set them over for first reading at to the October 14th, 2025 meeting on the regular agenda. Second. All right, all those in favor of setting the ordinances numbers two nine zero six one and two nine zero six two over to next week. Please signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed signify by saying nay. The motion is declared adopted. All right, are there any other questions, comments, or corrections to the remaining items on the consent agenda? I move to accept the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the hearing exammer for first and final reading of ordinance number two nine zero six zero. Second. All those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, signify by saying nay. All right, the the consent agenda is declared adopted.

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