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.
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):
Supporting the camping ban expansion (minority):
Other topics in public comment:
Appointments to Human Rights Commission (Resolution 41777) – Councilmember Rumbaugh presented eight candidates recommended by the Community Vitality and Safety Committee. Approved unanimously.
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.
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.
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.
Camping Ban Expansion (Ordinance 29064) – Councilmember John Hines introduced the ordinance amending Title 8. Key changes:
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.
I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of October 14th, 2025. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Bushnell. Present. Deputy Mayor Daniels. Absent Councilmember Diaz. Here. Councilmember Hines. 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 Sidalgay, followed by a moment of silence. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Piala 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 moment of silence. Are there any modifications to this evening's agenda? Seeing none, we will move on to the consent agenda. Councilmember Hines. I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions numbers 4175 and 4176. Second. Are there any questions, comments, or corrections? 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 two ceremonials tonight. And for the Thursday, October 16th, 2025 day as community conflict resolution, I'd like to invite Merylise Kwan, Executive Director, and Michael Transu, board chair of the Center for Dialogue and Resolution, to the podium as I read this proclamation. Whereas nations, federal, state, regional, and local governments have an interest in promoting civility, understanding, improved communication, and conflict resolution via the use of facilitation, training, conciliation, and med and mediation. And whereas the City of Tacoma promotes the use of and access to creative and productive community-based dispute resolution by highly qualified mediators. And whereas anyone in the City of Tacoma has access to a community mediation center to resolve conflicts between family members, neighbors, tenants, landlords, merchants, consumers, employees, employers, civic organizations, and government agencies. And whereas jurisdictions and the taxpayers in the state of Washington save significant resources that have been settled by community-based dispute resolution centers rather than court hearings. And whereas the conflict resolution process and training increases the capacity of our community to turn conflict into productive resolutions, resulting in a higher quality of life for all residents. And whereas the City of Tacoma commits to leading by example to promote conflict resolution by engaging in civil dialogue throughout its interactions with our own residents. Now, therefore, I, Victoria R. Woodards, mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim Thursday, October 16th, 2025, as Community Conflict Resolution Day in the City of Tacoma, and extend our deepest appreciation to the Center for Dialogue and Resolution for the vital services they perform and their exemplary duty to the community members they represent. Please join me in a round of applause. Mr. Transou. Well, thank you, Madam Mayor and members of the council for the record. As noted, I'm Michael Transu, and I am the chair of the Center for Dialogue and Resolution Board of Directors. As many of you know, we said goodbye to three board members and said hello to four new board members. We spent that year updating our strategic plan and are ready to step up our services to our community. Recognizing as the resolution or proclamation does that healthy community dialogue and is of the public interest and recognizes the need to learn how to disagree. Your proclamation tonight emphasizes and manifests this need to your and our community, and for that we are true are we are sincerely grateful. Thank you again for the proclamation tonight for us in the community, and we very much appreciate the recognition.