OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting Summary: November 18, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, November 18, 2025
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, November 18, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:01:41

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

All right, I would like to call to order the city council meeting of November 18th, 2025.

0:10

Clerk, will you please call the role?

0:12

Councilmember Bushnell.

0:13

Present.

0:14

Deputy Mayor Daniels?

0:15

Here.

0:15

Councilmember Diaz.

0:16

Here.

0:17

Councilmember Heinz.

0:18

Here.

0:19

Councilmember Rumba.

0:21

Here.

0:21

Councilmember Sidalga?

0:22

Here.

0:23

Councilmember Scott.

0:24

Here.

0:25

Councilmember Walker.

0:26

Here.

0:26

Mayor Woodards.

0:28

Here.

0:30

All right.

0:30

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

0:37

We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Piala people where there's where they make their home and speak the Lashut seed language.

0:45

Please stand for the flag salute or maybe standing for a moment of silence.

1:41

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

1:44

I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions number four one seven nine six through four-one seven nine-eight.

1:50

Second.

1:51

Are there any comments, questions, or corrections?

1:55

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

1:59

Aye.

2:00

All right.

2:01

All those opposed signify by saying nay.

2:04

The consent agenda is declared adopted.

2:07

Moving on to proclamations, recognitions, and presentations.

2:15

And we will be proclaiming Thursday, November 20th, 2025 as Transgender Day of Remembrance.

2:34

Right on time.

2:35

Hi Oliver Thank you guys for being here.

2:42

Whereas Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded by a small group in 1999 to memorialize the still unsolved murder of a black transgender woman, Rita Hester, in Alston, Massachusetts, whose death ignited a global day of mourning.

2:56

And whereas the City of Tacoma and its leadership continue to join in solidarity with over 200 cities in 21 countries across the world who observed this day.

3:05

And whereas this is a time to mourn, reflect, and remember those taken by violence while honoring their lives with our unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and community safety.

3:16

And whereas in the face of hate, disinformation, and the erasure of civil rights, we must reject complacency and stand with courage and clarity besides those targeted, beside those targeted through policy protections, and the power of collective voice.

3:31

And whereas this year we also reckon with the silence of those whose names are missing from the roles of remembrance, whose lives were stolen and stories left untold.

3:40

Casualties not only of violence but of erasure itself.

3:44

And whereas the lives mourned and celebrated are more than just names on a list.

3:49

They are members of our community and loved ones taken before their time.

3:52

And today and every day we honor and celebrate those that have been lost while supporting and seeking to protect the lives of those still with us.

4:00

Now, therefore, I, Jamika Scott, Councilmember of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the mayor and the city council, to hereby proclaim Thursday, November 20th, 2025, as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the City of Tacoma, and urge all residents to join us in remembering those who have lose we have lost, uplifting those who endure and committing to a future where every person, regardless of gender identity or expression, can live safely, openly, and with pride.

4:28

In recognition of this day, the transgender flag will fly above the Tacoma Municipal Building and the Tacoma Dome on November 20th, 2025.

4:38

Thank you, Councilmember Scar.

4:46

Oliver.

4:50

Thank you.

4:51

I uh this day came a lot sooner than I thought it would.

4:56

Uh so sorry.

5:00

Uh so uh I want to say first, um, while she's not trans, um we're missing a good friend to the city tonight who should be here with us.

5:12

Uh Matisse Hoyt is a good friend, uh, was a good friend to me and to our organization.

5:20

Um so it's pretty hard to do this tonight without her here.

5:27

Um it's also hard uh to do this in general because this will be the last time we do this with this administration as a whole.

5:36

Um and you all have done this for five years for us.

5:42

Um so uh it's hard not to have Mayor Woodards here tonight.

5:48

Um so I did write a speech.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████████████████27%
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Community Engagement████████8%
Public Engagement████████8%
Technology and Innovation████████8%
Human Rights██████6%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Personnel Matters████4%
Public Comment███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting Summary: November 18, 2025

The City Council of Tacoma convened on November 18, 2025, to conduct routine business, issue ceremonial proclamations, and deliberate on legislative matters. The meeting included the adoption of the consent agenda, the declaration of Transgender Day of Remembrance and Small Business Saturday, the initiation of a recruitment process for a municipal court judge, and the authorization of tax-exempt bonds for affordable housing improvements. Public comments addressed discrimination against transgender individuals in the military, compensation proposals for the Public Utility Board, and support for local businesses and tax structures.

Consent Calendar

  • Adopted unanimously (Aye/Aye resolution, no opposition).
  • Included resolutions 41796 through 41798.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Michelle Reich expressed concern regarding transgender individuals in the military. She stated that she is "particularly concerned" about the 800 military members currently fighting for their jobs and stated that if she were a military member, she would "stop any medical treatments" and "reclaim yourself as gay or lesbian." (Speakers noted her position that transgender experiences exist in the animal world and various cultures, but her primary position was opposition to current treatment options).
  • Kit Burns, an architect and long-time attendee of public utility board meetings, expressed that the proposed ordinance (OP 2978) regarding Public Utility Board compensation "should be either withdrawn or voted down." Reasoned that while the proposal underscores the need for professional expertise, it "leaves it open that anybody could be on the public utility board without their experience."
  • Janice Clark, representing "Safe Homes" (a small business), stated that she is "100% behind the efforts of the city," despite not agreeing with all policies. Expressed support for the Small Business Saturday proclamation and the B&O tax structure, noting the need to "generate more revenue with less burden on the taxpayers."

Discussion Items

  • Transgender Day of Remembrance Proclamation: Councilmember Jamika Scott proposed the proclamation. Oliver [Last Name Redacted], representing a local organization, stated that while the event marks the fifth year of partnership with the city, it will be the "final proclamation" with the current administration. He expressed gratitude for the city's consistency in codifying the trans flag policy and flying the flag at the Tacoma Dome.
    • Mayor Woodards expressed deep gratitude to Oliver for his leadership in "unlearning the shame" within the community and acknowledged that the initiative would not have happened without him.
  • Small Business Saturday Proclamation: Councilmember Joe Bushnell proposed the proclamation. Six small business owners attended to accept the proclamation.
    • Kevin Lee (Third Space Cafe) stated that the support in Tacoma is "amazing" and that they are a "family affair" offering homemade goods.
      • Lourdes Hernandez (Lulu's Bakery) expressed that she is "proud of the journey" and thanked the city for "believing in a small business like mine" despite the difficulties of the pandemic.
    • Reginald Jacob Howell and Denzel Johnson (Grand on Sixth Avenue) stated they are "grateful and how much we appreciate what the city's done" through their Kickstarter campaign and community embrace.
      • Linda Yarbrough (RI Tax and Bookkeeping) stated that grants from the city helped them "stay where we are" after COVID and praised the intern program for teaching work ethics.
    • Matt Evans (Pacific Northwest Shop) stated that Small Business Saturday is "really great to have the kind of the city put their foot down" and that there is a "symbiotic relationship" between the city and businesses.
  • Municipal Court Judge Vacancy: Mayor Woodards stated that the position is being vacated by Judge Drew Hankey retiring on Dec 31, 2026. She expressed that the process must begin immediately because the "municipal court is very busy" and judges "need somebody on board as soon as possible" to avoid slowing the caseload.
  • Salishan Hillside Phase 1 Bonds: Mayor Woodards stated that the Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) is securing financing for a $150 million project to improve 30 existing housing units. She clarified that the motion authorizes the Mayor to sign the certificate but is not intended to create responsibility for the city to issue or pay the bonds.
  • Legislative Priorities Resolution (41799): Alex McBain and Logan Barrett presented priorities including updating statutory frameworks for property transfer, exploring sidewalk utility revenue, preserving federal funding (ACA, Medicaid, SNAP), advocating for transportation safety, and advancing affordable housing and climate goals. Councilmember Walker stated he appreciated the alignment with Pierce County on homelessness and thanked City Manager Kim.
  • Year of Belonging Funding (Resolution 4180): Councilmember Walker explained the initiative aims to promote inclusion for immigrant, refugee, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ communities. He stated the $25,000 contingency fund will support community events, advertising, and website production. He thanked Mayor Woodards and Tacoma Community House.
  • Telecommunications Franchises (Ordinances 29068, 29073): Council passed non-exclusive 10-year agreements with FATBEM LLC and Forge Fiber 37 LLC. Note: Ordinance 29068 was passed with Mayor Woodards absent; Ordinance 29073 was passed with Mayor Woodards present and voting in favor.
  • Public Utility Board Compensation (Ordinance 29078): Councilmember Bushnell stated that the proposal for a monthly stipend addresses "barriers of equitable representation" and allows volunteers to serve without financial hardship. He stated he will bring forward a substitute at the final reading on Dec 2nd to clarify that board members representing public agencies do not have to pay a license tax.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Adopted unanimously.
  • Proclamations: Thursday, November 20, 2025, declared Transgender Day of Remembrance; Saturday, November 29, 2025, declared Small Business Saturday.
  • Judge Recruitment: Motion adopted to authorize recruitment for Municipal Court Judge Position 2. Applications close Dec 1, 2025; interviews Dec 2, 2025; appointment to be proposed in Jan 2026.
  • Salishan Bond Authorization: Motion adopted to authorize the Mayor to execute the bond certificate for THA (up to $80M in tax-exempt bonds) for the Salishan Hillside Phase 1 project.
  • Legislative Priorities: Resolution 41799 adopted unanimously to set the city's state and federal legislative agenda for 2026.
  • Year of Belonging: Resolution 4180 adopted unanimously to authorize $25,000 from contingency funds.
  • Ordinances Passed:
    • Ordinance 29068 (FATBEM LLC franchise) passed (Mayor absent).
    • Ordinance 29073 (Forge Fiber 37 LLC franchise) passed (Mayor in favor).
    • Ordinance 29074 (PULB 160 compensation) passed unanimously.
  • Ordinance Set: Ordinance 29078 (Public Utility Board compensation/stipends) set for final reading on December 2, 2025.
  • System Maintenance: City staff notified residents that SAP systems will be offline on Friday (Nov 21) for upgrade; online payments will be unavailable.
  • Meeting Schedule: December 12, 2025 study session and business meeting scheduled; November 25 meeting canceled for Thanksgiving.

Meeting Transcript

All right, I would like to call to order the city council meeting of November 18th, 2025. Clerk, will you please call the role? Councilmember Bushnell. Present. Deputy Mayor Daniels? Here. Councilmember Diaz. Here. Councilmember Heinz. Here. Councilmember Rumba. Here. Councilmember Sidalga? Here. Councilmember Scott. Here. Councilmember Walker. Here. Mayor Woodards. Here. All right. Please join me in listening to the land acknowledgement and a 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 Piala people where there's where they make their home and speak the Lashut seed language. Please stand for the flag salute or maybe standing for a moment of silence. Seeing none, we will move on to the consent agenda. I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions number four one seven nine six through four-one seven nine-eight. Second. Are there any comments, questions, or corrections? Seeing none, all those in favor of the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye. Aye. All right. All those opposed signify by saying nay. The consent agenda is declared adopted. Moving on to proclamations, recognitions, and presentations. And we will be proclaiming Thursday, November 20th, 2025 as Transgender Day of Remembrance. Right on time. Hi Oliver Thank you guys for being here. Whereas Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded by a small group in 1999 to memorialize the still unsolved murder of a black transgender woman, Rita Hester, in Alston, Massachusetts, whose death ignited a global day of mourning. And whereas the City of Tacoma and its leadership continue to join in solidarity with over 200 cities in 21 countries across the world who observed this day. And whereas this is a time to mourn, reflect, and remember those taken by violence while honoring their lives with our unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and community safety. And whereas in the face of hate, disinformation, and the erasure of civil rights, we must reject complacency and stand with courage and clarity besides those targeted, beside those targeted through policy protections, and the power of collective voice. And whereas this year we also reckon with the silence of those whose names are missing from the roles of remembrance, whose lives were stolen and stories left untold. Casualties not only of violence but of erasure itself. And whereas the lives mourned and celebrated are more than just names on a list. They are members of our community and loved ones taken before their time. And today and every day we honor and celebrate those that have been lost while supporting and seeking to protect the lives of those still with us. Now, therefore, I, Jamika Scott, Councilmember of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the mayor and the city council, to hereby proclaim Thursday, November 20th, 2025, as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the City of Tacoma, and urge all residents to join us in remembering those who have lose we have lost, uplifting those who endure and committing to a future where every person, regardless of gender identity or expression, can live safely, openly, and with pride. In recognition of this day, the transgender flag will fly above the Tacoma Municipal Building and the Tacoma Dome on November 20th, 2025. Thank you, Councilmember Scar. Oliver.

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