Tacoma City Council Meeting – October 14, 2025

The City Council met on October 14, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers. The agenda included proclamations, public comment on a proposed expansion of the camping ban (Ordinance 29064), appointments to the Human Rights Commission, a property tax exemption extension, street vacations for UW Tacoma, and historic preservation code amendments. The meeting drew a large crowd, with 24 written comments and dozens of speakers on the camping ban ordinance. The council also recognized Community Conflict Resolution Day and the 25th anniversary of the EnviroChallenger program.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 41775: Awarded a contract to Dobbs Peterbilt, LLC for two rear-load collection trucks for solid waste/recycling, in the amount of $864,114 plus a 10% contingency, total $950,525 plus taxes. Approved.
• Resolution 41776: Set October 21, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. as the date for a public hearing on proposed modifications to the 2025–2026 Biennial Operating and Capital Budgets. Approved.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Proclamation declaring Thursday, October 16, 2025 as Community Conflict Resolution Day. The Center for Dialogue and Resolution was recognized; Director Merylise Kwan and Board Chair Michael Transou spoke about volunteer mediation services and upcoming de-escalation training.
• Recognition of the 25th Anniversary of the EnviroChallenger Program. Jacqueline Fuller (lead educator) and former employee Chris Gleason highlighted the program's growth—nearly 200,000 students reached, four professional educators, and environmental art lessons. The program was founded in 2000.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public comment on the regular agenda and community forum lasted approximately two hours, dominated by Ordinance 29064 (camping ban expansion). A total of 24 written comments were received on the ordinance, and approximately 60 speakers addressed the council. Key positions:

• Opposing the camping ban expansion (majority of speakers):

  • Rob Huff urged the council to reject the “cruel and wasteful” expansion, stating that homelessness has increased since the original ban and that sweeps cost $1 million per month. He called for safe sites and affordable housing.
  • Mickey Court asked council members “which side are you on?” and cited increased deaths (295 homeless deaths in 2022, highest recorded).
  • Sally Perkins (District 3) argued the removal policy has failed and urged letting the new council address solutions.
  • Barb Church (on behalf of Bronwyn Clark) said the ban would make libraries and parks “no longer truly public places” and divert funding from viable efforts.
  • Onita Arnold (District 2) noted that several shelters have recently closed, leaving a deficit in places for unhoused people.
  • Rebecca Stith (District 2) reminded council members of their prior statements against criminalizing homelessness and said “now is the time to vote no.”
  • Several speakers cited a 64% service acceptance rate, meaning 36% of those swept do not receive help, and that sweeps destroy survival supplies.
  • Tyrone Moore (co-director of Tacoma for All) said $1 million per month on sweeps could fund 650 tiny homes per year.
  • Speakers with lived experience (e.g., Courtney, Dakota, Alex Scheele) described the trauma of sweeps and the need for housing-first approaches.

• Supporting the camping ban expansion (minority):

  • Lisa Hunt said her brother’s recovery was aided by structure and accountability; she argued real compassion helps people move toward stability.
  • Alec Thomas (affordable housing developer) said encampments near downtown properties have led to unsafe conditions, including a stabbing, homicide, and attempted kidnapping, and that 75% of prospective tenants leave upon arrival.
  • Kristen Wynne supported the ordinance, stating encampments are dangerous for those living in them and for the community, and that therapeutic courts are a positive amendment.
  • A speaker with phone number ending 2127 claimed the vast majority of offered services are refused, called it a drug and mental health crisis, and accused nonprofits of profiting from the problem.
  • Mark Haley (District 2, downtown resident) said the original ordinance made neighborhoods “so much cleaner and safer” and requested buffer zones near schools, parks, and libraries.

• Other topics in public comment:

  • Kit Burns addressed Resolution 41778, arguing the city gives away too much in tax breaks to developers (e.g., Stadium Apartments extension totaling $6.4 million). He urged adoption of a 60% area median income affordability requirement.
  • A speaker raised concerns about the Northwest Detention Center and its vulnerability to a potential LNG explosion.

Discussion Items

1. Appointments to Human Rights Commission (Resolution 41777) – Councilmember Rumbaugh presented eight candidates recommended by the Community Vitality and Safety Committee. Approved unanimously.

2. Multi-Family Housing Tax Exemption Extension (Resolution 41778) – Deborah Bingham presented the 12-year extension for Stadium Apartments (172 units at 102 North G Street). The project currently rents studios at 25% below market, one-bedrooms at 24% below, and two-bedrooms at 35% below, all at 70% AMI. The fiscal impact is approximately $2,900 per unit per year in forgone property taxes. Councilmember Rumbaugh noted the project used Transfer of Development Rights to achieve extra height. Approved.

3. Street Vacations for UW Tacoma (Ordinances 29061 & 29062) – Troy Stevens presented the vacation of segments of Court C and South 19th Street to allow UW Tacoma expansion. The city’s in-house valuation estimated compensation at $2.93 million total ($2.2M for Court C, $733,000 for South 19th). The council accepted the hearing examiner’s findings and set the ordinances for second reading; the fee waiver request for UW Tacoma will be decided later. Approved.

4. Historic Preservation Code Amendments (Ordinance 29063) – Reuben McKnight presented amendments to Title 13 to support the updated Comprehensive Plan. Changes include revised nomination processes for historic districts, a new non-regulatory Community Heritage Register, and changes to demolition review. Public comments included concern about a five-year waiting period, which the planning commission retained as a guideline. Set over for final reading October 21.

5. Camping Ban Expansion (Ordinance 29064) – Councilmember John Hines introduced the ordinance amending Title 8. Key changes:

   • Reducing the buffer around emergency shelters outside downtown from 10 blocks to 5 blocks; maintaining 10-block buffer around permanent shelters downtown.
   • Adding a 2-block radius buffer (reduced from an earlier 5-block proposal) around public schools, parks, and libraries.
   • Maintaining 200-foot buffer around waterways.
   • Directing citations to therapeutic court when possible. Hines stated the goal is to keep public spaces accessible and reduce health/safety risks from large encampments. Councilmember Rumbaugh announced she would bring a motion next week for the city manager to work with partners on a low-barrier shelter site. The ordinance was set over for final reading on October 21.

6. Community Forum – Most speakers opposed the expansion of the Puget Sound Energy LNG facility at the Port of Tacoma, citing safety risks, environmental racism, and methane leaks. Several challenged Councilmember Rumbaugh’s statement that there are “no plans for LNG expansion,” stating that PSE has applied for an Army Corps permit and the Port’s Clean Air Plan includes increased LNG use. Councilmember Rumbaugh clarified her opposition to the facility. The forum also included comments on tenants’ rights and the need for a strong climate commission.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Resolutions 41775 & 41776) adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 41777 (Human Rights Commission appointments) adopted.
• Resolution 41778 (Stadium Apartments tax exemption extension) adopted.
• Ordinances 29061 & 29062 (street vacations) – hearing examiner findings accepted; second reading scheduled for October 21.
• Ordinance 29063 (historic preservation code) – first reading; set for final reading October 21.
• Ordinance 29064 (camping ban expansion) – first reading; set for final reading October 21, with councilmember Rumbaugh’s motion for a low-barrier site to be introduced that same week.
• Community Forum – Council heard extensive public opposition to LNG expansion; no formal action taken.