I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of December 9th, 2025.

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Councilmember Bushnell?

Present.

Deputy Mayor Daniels.

Here.

Councilmember Diaz.

Here.

Councilmember Heinz.

Councilmember Rumba.

Here.

Councilmember Sidalga?

Here.

Councilmember Scott.

Absent Councilmember Walker.

Here.

Mayor Woodards?

Here.

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

Bernell C.

Baca, Executive Director of Me Central.

Tonight we pause to honor the life and legacy of Dr.

Baca.

A leader whose impact on our city, our state, and our communities will be felt for generations.

Most know Dr.

Baca as the executive director of Me Central here in Tacoma, where he served as executive director, mentor, and guiding force since 2018.

A community-based nonprofit that works with Latino and Indigenous Native families through educational programs, crisis intervention, family outreach services, arts and cultural programming, and advocacy efforts.

Dr.

Baca also had decades long championing Chicano and immigrant rights, lifting voices and building bridges across communities.

He has had statewide influence as vice chair of the Washington State Hispanic Affairs Commission, Chair of the Racial Equity Team, and co-founder of the Equity and Education Coalition.

He also had more than 40 years of service in the community and technical college system, including 30 years as a professor at Yakima Valley College.

Dr.

Baca's deep civic engagement as a trustee for the Tacoma Art Museum, board member of the of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, and volunteer on state education boards under Governor Christine Gregoire and J.

Ens Lee, shows his commitment to this community, to this county, and to this state.

Dr.

Baco was a role model, a mentor, and a true believer in the potential of every person he served.

In gratitude for his lifetime and service, I invite you to join me in a moment of silence this evening as we send our deepest condolences to his family, to his co-workers, and to his friends.

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

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

Are there any council comments?

All right, seeing none, all those in favor of removing ordinance numbers 29084 and 29085 from the agenda this evening.

Signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, this motion is declared adopted.

We have a motion before us for consideration.

I move to consider item number three, a motion to confirm the appointment of a human resources director at this time.

Second.

Are there any council questions or comments?

Seeing none, all those in favor of considering item three at this time signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, the motion is declared adopted.

Moving on to the next motion.

I move to confirm the appointment of Linnea Jablonski as human resources director, effective February 9th, 2026.

Second.

All right, I'd like to call on interim city manager Hyung Kim.

Young.

Madam Mayor, thank you very much.

Uh Deputy Mayor and members of council tonight.

I am proud.

The team has spent uh uh extended extensive search nationwide for our next HR director.

And tonight I am proud to uh put forth um Linnea Jablonski, who was here, and I'd ask her to come to the podium to share some remarks after my introductory uh comments.

Um Linnea comes to us from Fairfax County, Virginia, where she is the HR director.

Um previous to that, she was the HR director in the City of Olympia.

And previous to that, she has extensive experience in the state systems with uh being the HR director for uh the state ferry system as well as uh at the Department of Corrections as an HR manager.

Um Linnea is a subject matter expert when it comes to employer relations, uh labor matters, working with our our uh passionate and amazing uh talented workforce.

Uh I am excited the directors and I in bringing forth Linnea for your consideration tonight.

And with that, um I would hand this off to Linnea for some remarks and then uh stand ready for any questions.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Linnaeya you just go ahead and start.

It'll it'll work for you to have to touch anything.

What I push.

Uh thank you and good evening.

Um I'm happy to be here and being considered for the HR director for the city of Tacoma.

Uh as the city manager mentioned, I am from the Pacific Northwest and took an adventure across the country and would love to come back and work for the city.

So I uh had an opportunity to meet several of you today, and I appreciate your time.

And if you have any questions for me, I'm happy to answer.

Thank you very much.

I think we we all had an opportunity to meet with you today and ask you all of our questions unless there are some additional questions.

I know um Linnae, it was an opportunity, it was a great opportunity to meet you.

Excited um about you beginning your journey here at the City of Tacoma.

Should this vote go through in just a minute?

Um, but but appreciate you for wanting to come back home and be a part of this community and look forward to a very successful career for you here in Tacoma.

You have an incredible department.

The human resources department works very hard for the city, and you have some incredible um employees who work in the department.

And after my conversation today, I'm sure that they will be in very good hands.

So thank you for applying and uh thank you for um wanting to make Tacoma your home.

All right, seeing no further questions, um all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed.

Uh the motion is declared adopted.

Um congratulations, Linnea, and welcome to the city of Tacoma.

Let's join me in a round of applause.

Thank you so much.

All right, are there any additional modifications to the agenda this evening?

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

I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions numbers 41810 and 41811.

Second.

All right, are there any council questions, comments, or corrections?

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

All those opposed.

All right.

The consent agenda is declared adopted.

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

There are no proclamations, um, presentations or announcements this evening, so we'll move on to public comment.

On tonight's agenda, there are two opportunities for the public to comment.

Under public comment, you can speak about motions, resolutions, and ordinances on tonight's agenda.

Under community forum, which is held at the end of this meeting, you can speak about items over which the city council has jurisdiction.

These forums are intended to give speakers the opportunity to share their viewpoint and feedback with the city council to aid in our decision making and are not meant to be a back and forth dialogue.

Your remarks should be directed to the city council and not to individual staff members.

If you want to speak under the public comment period, please press the raise your hand button near the bottom of your Zoom window now, or star or star nine on your phone, so we can see the number of people wishing to testify this evening.

If you're speaking in person, please sign up at the back of the room if you have not done so already.

Your name or the last four digits of your phone number will be called out when it is your turn to speak.

Clerk, will you please read?

This is the time set aside for public comment.

Speakers are asked to identify the specific legislation they wish to address.

All right, I'd like to remind everybody to please keep your comments respectful, relevant, focused, and on topic.

We strive to provide a comment period where people can feel respected while sharing a wide variety of viewpoints and acknowledge that we may at times hear comments that conflict with our values.

To ensure all speakers can express their First Amendment constitutional rights, we ask that you refrain from clapping, cheering, booing, or otherwise being disrupted.

You will have 90 seconds to make your remarks.

Please be mindful of the time frame.

As always, you are not required to use all of your time to make your point.

If you cannot remain on topic, you will be given two warnings.

If you remain off topic, we will have to move on and we'll end your time.

Clerk, have we received any written public comment for tonight's meeting?

We've received 18, one regarding transportation impact fees, 16 regarding landlord fairness code, and one regarding the business resiliency code.

Great.

All right, thank you.

All right.

Um as we did last week.

I'm going to call you up in groups of five.

Um, and you have 90 seconds to make your remarks.

Remember, um, there are people in here um who may express a different opinion than yours, so that's why it's very important that we ask you to be respectful of everyone who steps to the podium this evening by giving them the same respect you give to those who agree with your opinion.

So, with that, I am going to start with, and I'm gonna go a little bit out of order.

I'm going to start with um uh Sayed Jamal and Claire Petridge, who are here to speak on the sister cities resolution, and would you two come forward at this time?

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

My name is Sayed.

I'm uh the chair of Tacoma Kochi Committee.

Uh Kochi is one of the most artistic cities in India, just like Tacoma.

It is one of the film cities, one of the four film cities in India, and I think there are some amazing collaboration that both cities can engage in.

Uh the area of opportunity that boat management, maritime innovation, and climate resilience, uh, culture and educational exchanges will also deepen global understanding, especially for our young people here.

Um at Tacoma Kochi Committee have already done two wonderful cultural events, one at the Grand Cinema, uh, where we did a film screening.

Uh it was very well received.

We had some wonderful community members who came and engaged, and we had great conversation.

We also did the Festival of Light, which was really an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate together and get to know each other.

Um, and I am I'm looking forward to this relationship and remote exchanges.

Thank you.

Great, thank you very much, Sayat.

Claire.

Good evening, Mayor Wooders and members of the council.

Claire Petrich, currently chair of the Sister Cities, Tacoma Sister Cities Council.

Um Tacoma has its own origin story.

And most certainly, Split and Tacoma have the longest one.

The group of people from Tacoma went to Croatia several years ago looking for the best sister city.

We started out in the islands where many Tacomans came from when they moved to Tacoma.

We started with two smaller cities, and they just weren't quite big enough.

Mayor Woodards happened to visit Starigrand, and as we were there, said, you know, Split's a lot more like Tacoma.

She was right on.

We connected with Split, 176,000 people live there, close to Tacoma's population.

It is a city of beautiful vistas on the water.

Great port city, lots of connections to tourism, and already we have had a number of activities between Tacoma and Split.

An artist of residence was here last year and uh exhibited at the Seaport Museum.

And we've we have an MOU between the University of Washington Tacoma and Aspiring University in Split with students who are studying sports management.

Many of those students in Split signed up with the World Cup organization to become volunteers.

If they are accepted, the split sister city committee will host them and be looking for places for them to stay.

Thank you.

Thank you very much to both of you, and we will um hear your comments now, but we'll be taking up those two sister city editions for one Friendship City and one sister city edition later on in the meeting tonight.

So thank you both for being here this evening.

Thank you so much.

All right.

I'm gonna go back uh to the top of the list, and I'm gonna call you up in groups of five.

So we will start with um Gloria Carpincho, Lua Pritchard, Kit Burns, Joey Thompson, and Mikey.

Hi, good evening.

I'd like to speak on ordinance 29086.

Uh, we currently have a uh ordinance in Tacoma that prohibits us from allowing our pets to go outside uh for a period of time when it's below 45 degrees.

And I think we should we ought to have the same policy towards humans as well.

I think um what you should do is you should create a fund that uh collects a percentage of the rents from every landlord in the city, say it's anywhere from one to three percent, depending on where that number falls of the rents.

So that would cover the unpaid rents for these buildings when when they have to delay evicting somebody.

And then that way you can put it in an interest bearing account.

It can make money as it provides uh uh security for the small landlords, and it shifts the burden of paying for this to the large corporate landlords who should be paying their fair share, and they're not right now.

Our affordable housing is not anywhere near where it should be.

They're taking advantage of us, and I'm speaking as a former landlord.

I rented out my house for four years when I was out of state, and I saw how the game is run.

They will raise the rent as much as you allow them to, and it doesn't matter how good the person is that you're renting to or not.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Lua Mayor Woodards and respected members of the council.

I'm Lua Pritchard, executive director of Asia Pacific Culture Center and a board member of the Affordable Housing Consortium of Pierce County.

Um we're here on behalf of our organization and all of the affordable housing uh providers.

Uh, please adopt ordinance 29086 today.

Affordable housing providers need your help.

We cannot wait.

We as nonprofit providers, we care immensely for the people that we serve and do what we can to avoid eviction at all costs.

Amending the LFC is in just preserving the affordable housing.

It is first and foremost about the tenants we serve and those we expect to serve in the future.

Asia Pacific Culture Center is one of the owners for Apache Sur Place.

77 units of affordable housing on 38th and G in the Lincoln District.

Thank you so much for your support.

Thank you, Lua.

My name is Kit Burns.

I live in Tacoma on Hilltop.

I've lived in Tacoma for about 33 years.

I'm here to speak on the three impact fees.

As an experienced architect who's been project manager on a number of large projects like Kent Lake High School, Auburn Mountain View, Olympia High School, and other projects within the state.

I've faced impact fees, and Tacoma needs them, but I don't think this solution is a good solution.

These solutions, I know some time has been spent on them by the city staff.

But you're about to hire a new city manager.

And with the financial issues that Tacoma has in many areas, I think it should be saved until the new manager brings their experience to the city and they can comment on these.

My comments on these are on the stormwater management, the amount of money revenue expected is 1.25 million dollars.

Not very much.

The sewer is expected somewhere between 2 million, 4.7 million and 8 million, which is quite a range.

I don't know how the math was done on this.

And then on the transportation impact fees, which is probably the number one concern here, it's supposed to bring in about 16 million dollars.

But uh I've read this ordinance, and I hope you have, and these are pretty um hard to understand.

As an experienced architect having worked in Bellevue in Seattle, uh, you refer on transportation fees.

You're supposed to use the Tacoma rate study.

Who did the study?

What's the date of it?

So there's a lot of incomplete things.

I'll speak to you as a professional.

So I'd wait for the new manager.

Thank you.

Thank you, Kit.

Joe.

Mayor Woodards, Council members, my name is Joe Thompson, and I am the president of Mercy Housing Northwest.

We need your help.

Many good folks out there who rely on us to provide safe and welcoming environments to raise their families or to age with dignity, need your help.

The City of Tacoma has been a vital partner in our mission, providing funding that enables us to expand affordable housing options for its citizens who have invested heavily in our projects.

We are grateful for this support.

We need your help in preserving your investment and ask that you revise the landlord fairness code to provide a nonprofit exemption.

Since the passage of the landlord fairness code, nearly all of our six properties in Tacoma is operating in significant financial deficit due to substantial nonpayment of rent or substantial resident cause damages.

Here's an example at our Rosa Franklin apartments.

At our Rosa Franklin apartments, one tenant repeatedly caused intentional flooding in their unit, resulting in damage to four units below.

This didn't happen once.

It occurred seven times over one year.

And due to the constraints of the landlord fairness code, it took 13 months to complete the eviction process.

During that time, we had to ro relocate vulnerable seniors from their homes.

The damages have uh led to expenses exceeding $800,000.

Situations like this threaten our ability to operate affordable housing, and we desperately need a nonprofit exemption.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mickey.

My name is Mikey.

I'm a resident of Tacoma and a resource navigator for the Common Good Tacoma, where I have the great privilege of working every day with the population you demonize the most in this city, and the population you evidently seek to increase the unhoused residents of Tacoma.

I'm asking you to vote no on ordinance 29086.

I got no sleep last night, so I thought long and hard about staying home tonight for my mental and physical health.

But I'm thinking today about Michelle, who was unhoused at the beginning of this year, was housed until last week when she was evicted and is now back on the streets again.

She has nothing.

She's outside with no tent, no tarp.

Her cat lives in a crate in her cart.

I doubt she has slept in days as she gets chased around this very neighborhood in torrential downpours where it is illegal for her to sleep outside because of you.

And here you are again, working so hard to enrich your donors and yourselves to protect landlord interests.

Five sites were swept today.

Five more will be swept tomorrow at great cost to us, the people and taxpayers of Tacoma, because of your choice to protect businesses and profits because you are evidently impervious to shame.

I'm asking you to vote no on ordinance two nine zero eight six to find your humanity to prevent people from let people like Michelle from ending up on the streets in the rain, soaked to the bone, getting chased back and forth and up and down through the city.

Vote no to keep people safe and dry and housed.

Please vote no.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, the next five are Jesse Cowart, April Black, Ginny Agnew, Mike Agnew, and Kathy Lahan.

Just a few weeks ago, this council sat before us and talked all this talk about the things you were going to do to help solve the unhouse crisis we have here in Tacoma and do better for the most vulnerable population of people in our city.

Now, mere weeks later, you're literally trying to strip away tenant protections, which help keep people off the streets.

I'm here tonight to hold you accountable.

That that mother whose partner walked out on her and her children, that senior citizen whose government benefits have been gutted, that domestic violence victim you honored just weeks ago in an official proclamation, who's working three jobs to support her family, and so many more just like them.

Hardworking, tax-paying voting citizens of Tacoma, are doing everything they can just to get by, and you're trying to wage war on them.

Your job as a city council is to represent the interests of the citizens of Tacoma.

But it feels like with this, what you're trying to do now is line your own pocketbooks and rub elbows and shake hands with wealthy landowners while spitting in the faces of those whom you're tasked to help.

The hypocrisy of what you promised in Sarah Rumbaugh's initiative, the night of the camping ban vote versus what you're doing now is astounding.

You're literally doing the exact opposite of what you said you were going to do.

Where is your accountability?

I thought maybe, just maybe this council would do better.

But so far, all I've seen is a council that vokes over and over again against the will and interests of its people.

If you do this and wage war on the tenants of this city, then I hope that next year, with new leadership, this council finds itself on the side of the people.

Tacoma needs you to remember who you're supposed to be here for.

Thank you, Jess.

April Good evening.

I'm April Black.

I'm an executive director of the Tacoma Housing Authority and a board member on the Tacoma Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium.

I'm here tonight to talk about the Landlord Fairness Code through letters and public testimony.

You've heard from the multiple affordable housing providers about the ongoing challenges the admission moratorium has caused.

Affordable housing tenants and the providers throughout the city, including high debts for both the tenants and property owners, extensive damage to units, challenge in maintaining buildings, difficulty paying the debts we've taken on to build this housing, and our inability to serve households waiting on our waiting lists.

I encourage you to approve the changes to the landlord fairness code tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you, April.

Jenny.

Good evening, Council.

Um, this is in regards to ordinance 29086.

Um, I too am a tax paying citizen and a landlord here in the city of uh Tacoma, where I am trying to make a living and survive just like the rest of you are here.

When measure one was placed on the ballot back in 2023, it was recorded to be the lowest ever turnout in the general election in the entire Washington state, with only 36.4 people voting.

And here in Tacoma with 200 127 registered voters, there was only 35% of those voters that showed up to actually vote on this measure.

There was only 43 combined 43,436 combined votes that were cast by uh combined.

With only 370 votes agreeing to this measure one, and that does not um include many landlords that probably were not able to even vote because they weren't in the city or state.

Um I've been excuse me, excuse me, you all please be respectful.

I've been seeing posts from the other tenant unions on social media urging tenants to come and maybe tell some of their personal stories and uh community members to sign up for public comment tonight saying we will give talking points to you.

No counts now, council.

Does this sound like they'll tell you what to say, not speak from your heart?

Um that's just like asking people to jump on the bandwagon.

So are people here tonight really tenants that need your support?

I know landlords are here and need your support as well, as I am trying to make a living.

Growth.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

If you want to leave your comments with the with the with the clerks, you can get the the rest of them to us.

Mike, will you come forward?

30 years ago, my wife and I bought our first home here in Tacoma because we couldn't afford anything in King County.

Prices go up everywhere.

Over the years, we've worked hard and been able to purchase six rental homes in here in Tacoma.

This has been our retirement plan for many years, and we are invested in Tacoma.

We've been providing for affordable housing to our tenants this whole time and have rented well below market value.

The 5% cap on increases can be difficult in some years as the property taxes and insurance rates exceed this 5%.

Having the cold weather and uh school year moratoriums are extremely damaging to the small landlords.

Losing rent for multiple months is not sustainable.

We still have to pay the mortgage insurance and taxes.

All of these things are pushing more landlords to sell their rentals, reducing the number of rentals available within the city.

This creates the opposite outcome of what you were after.

We recently went through the eviction process ourselves and spent well over 25,000 to through this process to give um to give it a little bit of perspective.

My wife is a parade educator in the school schools districts.

She made just over $30,000 last year.

So as a result, she worked so that somebody could stay in a house rent-free.

This was also their second time doing it.

The second year in a row.

We thought we'd give them a second chance because it doesn't always happen two years in a row.

No, they took full advantage of this law.

So please take into consideration exempting small landlords with eight units or less over these moratoriums.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments tonight.

All right, Kathy.

Okay, quickly.

Um 4812, um 5.4 million for axon.

So that's what body cams are stuff for the cops.

And there's another million on here for the cops.

Somewhere.

Um where is that?

Well, there's another resolution having over a million for the cops.

So, how much money do they need?

Oh, uh, that's item one 48 uh or 41810 for tasers.

All right, so the one I really like is uh um 41815, um, naming Kochi India, as we were talking about, as a sister city.

And I did, you know, a two-minute search, and of course, there's a major LNG regasification uh facility in co tree operated by Petronet.

So I don't think we probably have many sisters, cities or fenny that don't have some L and G connection.

And the only thing is that city resources, like when you go there, mayor sell LNG or whatever.

PSE should pay for that.

Not the taxpayers of Tacoma.

So, any time I have left, I have a little 12 seconds left.

Um eighty-year-old, very terrified.

Um, there's a black gentleman who just can't believe that Alberta, Canada is not public property anymore.

It's not, it's a lie, it's a facade, it has been, and disabled seniors who are paying their rent because we have very low but steady income are being thrown on the street.

We're in eviction court last Friday.

What the hell is going on?

Thank you, Kathy.

All right, Kashana Curtis, Michelle Reich, and Dorr, and uh Tyron Moore Moore.

Hello, Council, my name is Kishana Curtis, and I'm the vice chair on Tacoma for all steering committee.

We've been here week after week sharing our stories, pouring out our hearts out to you all via public comment letters and op-eds.

And today you will be able to respond via your vote and tell us precisely how disposable we are.

Through your vote, we will see who among us is viewed as being deserving of protection and who will be offered as a living sacrifice pleasing to the landlord lobbyists and businesses in the city that plan to balance the books of the affordable housing crisis on the backs of the most vulnerable tenants in our city.

Through our pressure campaign, we have been able to block some of the worst attacks on the landlord fairness code, but the sheer fact that we can have a council here entertaining rollbacks to tenant protections in the midst of a nationwide housing crisis shows where the city's allegiance lies.

Mistakenly, it is not what the majority of renters and workers that make this city what it is.

We, however, refuse to be ignored.

Our demand remains the same.

Stop this rush to roll back voter approved tenant rights.

We demand transparent negotiations with tenants at the table.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Michelle Michelle Reich.

The housing problems is a symptom of a larger problem in American society.

We put priorities on world domination, which we want to control the entire world.

5,000 military postings, 160, 70 military bases.

We want to control all the countries of the world.

And that's where our financial resources and let the social problems at home uh go to waste, and housing is one of them.

And plus that is related to crime, the way people educate their children and don't educate them, so they can't get you jobs to get good housing.

The $7 wage nationally, uh, even though it's higher here.

All these problems uh boil down to uh the bottom one percent or more are are homeless and in America in the capitalist society, you die if you you don't have resources or education or jobs, and and we have other priorities in the world, America.

And the the people uh the criminals, we're we're a crime uh ridden society, and when they get out there and they can't get a job and they end up homeless, these people.

So it's uh it's uh symptom of a larger society problem, social problem.

It's just one aspect there, and you can't just solve this one housing problem without solving all the others there because it all put together.

Thank you.

Thank you, Michelle.

Good evening, Mayor, Council members.

Um, my name is Ann Dorn.

I currently serve as chair of Tacoma for All.

I'm here with a broad determined coalition of tenants, neighbors, and community organizers.

I want to start by naming something important.

Our movement is powerful and it's working.

We don't know yet how tonight's vote on the landlord fairness code will land, but we do know this.

A month ago, what was on the table was far worse than the proposed amendments before you tonight.

The underlying proposal will roll back tenant protections on a scale that would deeply impact many of the most vulnerable residents of Tacoma.

The only reason you're considering amendments that mitigate these rollbacks is because Tacoma tenants and advocates organized, spoke up and refused to be ignored.

We've seen an extraordinary outpouring of community pushback, over 600 letters, tenants and advocates flooding City Hall last week and filling three overflow rooms and tenants sharing their stories.

The collective pressure has already pushed back on some of the worst elements of this proposal.

This is what people power looks like.

So tonight, we urge you to mitigate the worst impacts of the underlying proposal by supporting the amendments that would do so.

I want to acknowledge the council members who've taken a stand in this moment, Council members Scott, Diaz, and Walker for backing amendments that avoid the worst harms.

And I need to say clearly, even with these improvements, this vote still represents a loss for tenants.

We are facing the erosion of tenant rights, and that will hurt vulnerable renters across Tacoma.

Tonight, we wait to see how each of you will vote.

But whatever happens, let it be clear.

Our movement has power, and we will keep fighting for the people who call Tacoma home.

Thank you.

Um, Tyrone Moore, co-director of Tacoma for All.

This fight over the tenant bill of rights is part of a much wider fight about who runs Tacoma, big business or working people.

This summer, Jim Henderson, one of the most powerful lobbyists in the state, organized a political fundraiser with Chris Dobler among the most influential landlords in Tacoma.

This was a fundraiser for a certain mayoral candidate and was held under the banner repeal measure one, as in repeal the tenant bill of rights.

But their attempt to rush through a wider rollback of tenant rights hit a major roadblock.

A movement of tenants and community allies proved once again that we have real power and were able to block much of this corporate-backed landlord agenda.

But I don't think anybody here should imagine that this fight ends tonight, whatever the vote is.

Councilmember Rumba and others have signaled that there's um an intention to go back and look at other aspects of the landlord fairness code, the rental housing code in the course of the next year.

Let us be clear.

Our movement will be ready and able to fight back against any further rollbacks of voter-approved tenant protections.

The ordinance and the amendments before us tonight reflect basically the class balance of forces in Tacoma, um, the balance between tenants and landlords, the downs between working people and capital.

And this rollback makes clear we are not yet tenants and working people do not yet sit in the driver's seat of city council politics.

But we do intend to change that.

Thank you, if I can hear it, the person who's speaking can hear it.

Please be respectful.

Pastor Shalom, Karina Boykin, Francis Fay Oak, and Devin Ridel Kelly.

Good evening, Reverend Shalom Abterap, uh pastor at First United Methodist a few blocks away, also co-director of Common Good Tacoma.

Uh just a week ago, these chambers made space to honor Matisse Hoyt as one of the pastors uh who accompanied the family and eulogized her death on Friday at the armory.

A huge turnout, and I just have to wonder what she might say.

Somebody who always spoke very plainly and directly to the foolishness that she bore witness to.

I wonder what she might say about this proposed ordinance.

I wonder what she might say about the tents that were erected right outside.

Uh, I wonder what she might say about the boulders that symbolize where people sleep or have slept, but then were cleared out.

So many of the folks that sleep rough or sleep outside are there because of evictions.

Are there because they could not pay the fees that were piled on them?

I was given this tent to give away because we are in close proximity and trusting relationship with those who are about to find themselves unhoused or have just found themselves unhoused.

I just want to again remind you that I am part of a big coalition, Common Good is a part of a big coalition.

There are members of different faith communities in the chambers tonight, who are part of faith communities who are compelled by their faith, by their religious practice and their commitment to spirituality to honor the human dignity of all and to demand that there be shelter and housing for all.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Francis.

Oh no, no, I'm sorry, Karina.

I I I I come forward.

Good evening, Council.

My name is Karina, and I'm here as a steering committee member for Tacoma for All, as well as a member of Tacoma Democratic Socialist America, but most importantly, as a longtime tenant in Tacoma.

I'm speaking to the Landlord Fairness Code.

For weeks now, alongside hundreds of community members, my comrades, and your constituents, we've put forth a strong pressure campaign against a rush to repeal life-saving tenant protections.

We've collectively voiced that if these protections are revealed, folks will be affected.

At the last council meeting, someone commented if people can't pay their rent, they should be evicted.

Well, people can't afford to live right now.

We demand the voter-approved five-month moratorium remain as is, undermining the protection of the landlord fairness code disproportionately harms our communities of color and deepens systemic inequality.

And we also reject the proposal for means testing.

This proposal might be off the table, but if it's passed, we've made mention this could transform the cold weather eviction production into a bureaucratic maze that then denies assistance to thousands of eligible tenants and aids to our unsheltered crisis.

It's also important to note that we haven't been here to account attack council members, but we have been here the past few months to hold council members accountable for their actions.

Housing is a human right, and we as tenants deserve a seat at the table when these discussions are being had and decisions are made about our lives.

Please don't vote in favor of rushing these repeals.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Devin Ridel Kelly.

I'm sorry, Francis.

I'm I'm I'm I'm going.

You're not listening.

It's all right.

Thank you.

We're all having a day.

You right thank you.

Thank you for that.

We're all having a day.

My name's Francis Fay Oak.

I live in District 2.

I'm here to talk about the Landlord Fairness Code the same way I've been here to talk about the Landlord Fairness Code a lot lately.

Um here's the thing, y'all.

Our nonprofits in this community uh took a risk.

They risked their financial um lives on providing affordable housing, the people in this community who can oftentimes least afford housing.

And the economy has come back to haunt them and they are hurting, they are struggling.

We hear that loud and clear, but that is not because of the landlord fairness code.

Let's be clear about that.

Councilmember Rumbaugh, you were asked this week what drew you to make these proposals in the first place, and you told a reporter of our community that you wanted to teach some accountability, that we needed to teach our children that it's not okay to pay our rent.

With all due respect, the only accountability that you all need to be concerned with is your accountability to we the people.

Okay.

I will teach my child exactly what she needs to know, and I want to teach her about creating a city that's compassionate, creating a city that does not scapegoat the least of these, and building a community where everyone has the right to safe, stable, and healthy housing.

Because you have heard us loud and clear, and you refuse to listen.

We've had no choice but to create our own power.

And that's why I'm a proud member of the newly formed New York Apartments Tenant Union, and we plan to create a citywide movement of tenant Ugin organizations to demand what we deserve.

Thank you.

Thank you, uh, Francis.

Devin Rydell Kelly.

Hi, folks.

My name is Devin Ride L.

Kelly.

I live in District 3.

I'm a co-director of Tacoma For All, and I uh as I usually have somebody prepared, and I have nothing prepared tonight.

Uh it's been really obvious from the last several months of pressure from tenants, community members, and their allies that people are deeply attached to the democratic tenant protections passed and the landlord fairness code and tenant bill of rights.

It's also become very clear over recent months that there's just a fundamental split between the interests of landlords and their allies in council and in community and the interest of tenants.

That's okay.

Those are material interests.

But when I I have friends up here that have spoken that are involved with the nonprofit housing community, and what I hear them saying is that they've overleveraged themselves, they've taken on a lot of risk, they are concerned about their debt, and the economy is tanked and people can't pay rent.

What I have not seen after 18 months as serving regularly as a volunteer on the study group all the time is a shred of evidence that that is actually caused directly by the landlord fairness code and the ability to enforce anything around tenants that are trashing property.

The same is true for small landlords.

The same is true for people who own eight units and rent them out and say it's for their retirement.

I would love to be able to own eight units to be able to rent out one day.

Currently I have zero, and I'm barely saving for my own retirement, and I'm paid all right.

At the end of the day, this is about our class interests and how we align, and that's why we are building tenant power moving forward, and we will fight tooth and nail for it in the next year if we don't get what we want tonight.

Uh Julie and Julie, I butcher your name every time.

Thank you.

She just got right up.

Thank you.

Thank you, Julie.

And then I'm calling Zev Cook, Matthew Cornier, and Natalie Smith.

And Azhmir.

Or Ashmir, sorry.

Julie Andrieski, co-chair of Indivisible Tacoma.

Uh last week I spoke of going to court with a tenant who was targeted for eviction by a corporate property manager.

More of the story.

After eight years of renting this property, he was behind in his rent because his wallet, iPad, and phone were stolen and his bank accounts scammed.

A common tragedy.

As he fell in arrears, the property manager closed the payment portal, making it difficult to pay his rent.

He started paying his rent to the court so he could prove payment.

He tried desperately to find a lawyer, but all the pro bono organizations were overwhelmed with clients.

So he practiced making the legal documents he would have to produce himself if he could manage to win.

As I watched, the property manager's attorney lied that he still owed $6,000 with no proof required.

Only the tenant was required to document every claim.

While he was able to retrieve his dog with a fee, both of them were traumatized.

After the court restored his tenancy, the very next month he saw illegal attorney charges added to the rent he owed.

When these when he didn't pay them, a $75 late fee was added.

An attorney letter demanded these charges be removed, but the next month they remained, and another $75 late fee was added.

The trauma and illegal company activities continue unabated.

Only a strong landlord fairness code can even begin to level the playing field.

Thank you, Julie.

Zev Cook.

Good evening.

I'm here to talk about the landlord fairness code as well.

While well-intentioned poses several operational concerns for affordable housing owners and managers, specifically the eviction moratoria contained in the LFC inadvertently causes ripple effects for affordable housing providers that manifest themselves in several ways.

We've experienced long-term vacancies due to the need to repair units damaged from previous renters who were evicted more than 12 months after being given the 30-day notice to vacate.

Affordable housing providers, often nonprofits or public agencies, rely on steady rent payments from residents who pay an affordable rental rate to cover basic operational costs.

If a percentage of residents either can't offer can't or refuse to pay rent per the lease terms, this becomes increasingly difficult.

Year to date, Lehigh properties in Tacoma have suffered lost rental income in the in excess of 100,000.

This has made it difficult to ensure all debt payments and essential services like utilities are kept current.

Many affordable housing programs, those financed through the tax credit program, HUD, or state housing funds, have occupancy and income requirements.

High vacancy and delinquency rates can threaten compliance and future funding.

For projects financed through tax credits or bonds, these operational challenges can trigger investor concerns, new requirements, and reduce future investment opportunities.

Lehi asks that the language in the actual amendment exempt the nonprofit corporations from the TLFC.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Bill Zev.

Okay, we found the real Zev Cook.

All right.

Good evening, Council.

My name is Zev Cook.

I'm a staff organizer for Tacoma for All and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

In 2023, I proudly served as a field organizer for the Tenant Bill of Rights Initiative and had the pleasure of having thousands of conversations with residents all over Tacoma about the desperate need to protect our community from gentrification and displacement.

Even at that time, we knew that passing the landlord fairness code was a compromise.

This year we've been constantly hearing about the need for exemptions, rollbacks, and compromises on tenant rights.

But folks, like I said, the landlord fairness code was the compromise.

Any rollbacks or exemptions are a step in the wrong direction.

We should be advancing further in the fight for housing as a human right for all.

Folks, Tacoma is a working class town.

We're a union town, we're not a slumlord town.

Vote no on any rollbacks to the landlord fairness code.

Thank you.

Thank you, Zeb.

Matthew.

Hi, uh, my name is Matthew Corrier.

I'm a local landlord, and I'm here again in defense of the tenants' rights.

Uh I'm not here to say uh that you're wrong, uh, but we don't know what the unintended consequences uh to a repeal due to insufficient time uh from the two years that we've had them would have on our community.

Uh the sample size to understand the effects is just uh not large enough.

Hastily repealing these protections at literally the first possible moment seems reckless and unnecessary.

Uh no analysis has been done on what revoking them will have on homelessness, uh, but also uh home prices, property taxes, and the general cost of living concerns at the hands of mega landlords uh from outside the city.

Please consider engaging in a more deliberate and uh analytical approach rather than a hasty repeal.

Uh thank you.

Thank you, Natalie.

Uh good evening, Mayor Wards, Deputy Mayor Daniels and Council members.

My name is Natalie Smith, and I'm here representing the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber.

The Chamber supports these proposed updates to Chapter 1.100 of the Tacoma Municipal Code, the Landlord Fairness Code.

Without amending these changes, we are concerned our community will lose existing rental properties and see ongoing reductions in construction investments.

The chamber cares deeply about housing as we see it as a fundamental piece in building a thriving community.

In fact, one of our top legislative priorities for 2025 is to support policy solutions to housing shortage, which is why we're here tonight.

The landward fairness code is risking our housing supply.

We have all heard the continued testimony from our affordable housing providers noting their increasing debts and testimony from private housing providers noting the same issues.

It's extremely concerning to read how housing providers have sold or plan to sell their properties due to the risk and financial strain when our community needs to preserve our housing supply so people can remain housed.

The ordinance before you tonight and the proposed amendments are a step towards bringing stability back to our community.

We understand the council's desire to find a balance between tenant protections and preserving housing availability, but action needs to be taken to address the community's needs.

We strongly encourage the council to take action tonight to support these amendments, and we look forward to and will continue to encourage continued updates in the coming year.

Thank you.

Thank you, Natalie.

Uh Ash Mirz, thank you.

Good evening, Council.

Uh my name is Ashmir.

I am an attorney at Tacoma Pro Bono, uh, where I was a right to council attorney um defending people who were being evicted.

Um I am no longer a right to council attorney.

I am now what is called a pre-right to council attorney, which means addressing all of the issues leading up to an eviction, not including the eviction.

And I can say that I have found that there is a great deal of landlords who don't follow Washington state law and suffer no consequences for it.

Whereas for the tenants, if they are found to be lacking in even one iota of uh not following the rules, they suffer an eviction.

And the consequences for a tenant are much greater than the consequences for a landlord.

I've heard landlords come up here and tell you about how much it costs them that the tenants are not paying their rent, but I have heard no one come up here and talk about how much money they're actually making off their properties.

I feel like it's a little bit unequal there.

Umly, I am very tired of hearing the landlords come up here and complain about non-compliance issues of tenants because as you know, the winter eviction has to do with non-payment cases, not compliance cases, and that is a straw man and a red herring.

Thank you.

Run balling with the four cause.

All right, uh, John Kennedy, followed by Vicky Stanich, Liz Scott, and Barb Church.

Council members, my name is John Kennedy.

I'm a Tacoma resident, a Republican.

Um I come from a family of landlords, but I um work at the Housing Justice Project and I'm a defense eviction attorney.

Um I'm coming here asking the council to hold the housing authority accountable.

It is unfair to exempt them from the landlord fairness code.

Um, in my experience since working in eviction cases since 2017, the housing authorities throughout the state, and particularly Tacoma, are the hardest to settle with, the hardest to get payment plans, and are most likely to evict for what they consider non-compliance.

Um if you exempt them.

People with dementia, um, people with disabilities will be more likely to face homelessness.

I have had clients with IQs lower than 60 that were being evicted because they were unable to recertify.

They there was no way to recertify.

I recertified for them three times with the health of the pair legal before we could prove that they'd filled out the recertification paperwork.

If my parents and my brothers and sisters can figure out how to survive with caps on rent, so can the housing authority.

There's no point in the housing authority expanding the amount of housing they have if they're not providing stable housing.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments tonight, John.

Uh Vicky Hello, my name is Vicky Stanich, and I'm um speaking on behalf of Indivisible Tacoma, and I'm a member also of uh Tacoma Democratic Socialists of America.

Um vote no.

I I'm I'm asking you to vote no on ordinance 29086.

Evictions are not distributed equally.

According to University of Washington study, black and Latinx renters in Pierce County are seven times more likely to be evicted than white adults.

Undermining this landlord fairness code protection disproportionately harms our communities of color and deepens systemic inequality.

According to a recent study called Health Care for the Homeless Perspective, care for the homeless in New York, the experience of housing insecurity defined as high housing costs, poor housing quality, unstable neighborhoods, overcrowding, and especially homelessness, places children at risk of physical and emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and sex trafficking while staying in shelters on the streets and doubled up with acquaintances, family, or strangers.

If you don't vote no on the landlord fairness code, you will be contributing to the decline in the health of children and adults, particularly in the black and brown population.

Whether we are tenants, homeowners, or landlords, we will all be negatively impacted by the eviction of adults and children if you vote no on the landlord fairness code.

Stop this rush to roll back voter approved tenant rights.

We demand transport transparent negotiations with tenants at the table.

Thank you very much.

Thank you for your comments tonight.

Uh Liz.

Thank you.

My name is Liz Scott, and I'm speaking for Indivisible Tacoma.

And we are requesting that the council keep the five-month moratorium.

This was voter-approved, and that's really important.

While we appreciate the original three-month proposal is off the table, shifting to only four months.

Imagine yourself outside most of the day and night in a tent or in a car during November and March in this state.

It's not fun.

And especially having kids that you are responsible for and have to take care of.

And that speaks to me of political and personal purpose rather than community good purpose.

And that saddens me.

I hope you will reconsider.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments, Liz.

Barrett.

Good evening, Council.

Barb Church from Northeast Tacoma.

We had Indivisible Tacoma, the Conversation 253, 350 Tacoma, and other justice organizations believe that housing justice is racist racial and environmental justice.

And most importantly, housing is a human right.

At Indivisible Tacoma, we support candidates who align with our values of earth, justice, and democracy.

We research them to see who has contributed to their campaigns.

Did they get thousands of dollars from the lobbyists, from the landlord lobbyists, real estate developers, or fossil fuel companies, because we know who they'll be beholden to, who they'll support, no matter how much they talk about their humble beginnings on their campaigns, as though they would be sympathetic to those who are struggling.

Wall Street told venture capitalists to invest in single family dwellings, and that's just what they did here in Tacoma.

Excuse me, the exemption is supposedly there to protect small landlords who have four or fewer properties, not big investors with four or less in Tacoma, plus larger portfolios outside the city.

Get the data on this on which tenants are being stripped of their rights and how many outside investors are being exempted.

Stop creating loopholes for outside investors.

We've watched you try to rush this ordinance.

Please listen to the thousands of people who signed that initiative and all those who voted to pass it.

Thank you.

Thank you for your comments tonight, Barb.

Next up, we have Jonathan Potdle.

Jonathan will be followed by Rebecca Stith, Amanda DeShazo, Corey Joseph, and Jason Berg.

Hey y'all, I'm Jonathan Pottle.

I'm a tenant in District 2, speaking about the landlord fairness code.

Um I hear that means testing might be off the table tonight, and if so, that's good.

Means testing, whether by design or by accident, has one actual purpose preventing the people most in need from getting their needs met.

That may not be what you hope to accomplish with it, but that's what it does in reality.

Is the people with the most pressing needs who have the lowest capacity to jump through hoops to absorb a loophole-driven rent hike, or to battle a slumlord, even a fake small slumlord or nonprofit slumlord.

To force them to do any of these things to keep over the roof of their head is inhumane.

And with this kind of vote, it's time to ask yourself a question.

Do you want to be inhumane?

Who do you serve in this town, people or profit?

Now you know me, I usually appear here to talk about humane crisis response.

Well, Councilmember Rumba wants to throw more people into a very big crisis.

And I don't want that.

And I think that a lot of you don't want that either.

I'll close by saying one thing.

If you can't be a landlord and be humane, then maybe that's telling you something about landlording.

Thanks.

Thank you for your comments, Rebecca.

Good evening, Rebecca Stith, District 2.

Humanity, dignity, protection, and stability motivated me to speak tonight.

I'm here to ask you to table ordinance 29086 and its substitute.

Wait until next year when the new council is sworn, and all stakeholders, including especially tenants, can weigh in on amending the landlord fairness code.

And I also want to link this to something else on the agenda tonight.

Tonight there's a resolution 41817.

It directs the city manager to probe possible legislation prohibiting federal authorities from using city-owned property for staging or other civil enforcement immigration actions.

And I certainly support this resolution.

It would elevate the humanity protection and dignity of immigrants and refugees.

It would provide stability for them in an increasingly oppressive environment.

The landlord fairness code currently elevates the humanity protection and dignity of tenants.

It brings them more stability for tenants, including many immigrants and refugees.

More stability can mean keeping housed, keeping healthier, keeping employed, keeping kids in school, and keeping up with bills.

More stability can also save landlords the expense of more eviction actions and high tenant turnover.

You, the council, are grappling with the most responsible way to go forward.

In pursuit of that humanity, dignity, stability, and protecting our most vulnerable.

Please defer amendments until 2026.

That's the responsible way.

Thank you.

Thank you, Rebecca.

Good evening, Council members.

I'm Amanda DeShaza with the Affordable Housing Consortium, representing more than 70 organizations that build, operate, and support over 7500 affordable housing units in Pierce County.

Over the past year, our providers have been navigating an increasingly fragile system.

We've seen rising rental arrears, extended eviction timelines, and escalating property damage costs, all of which threaten the financial stability of the housing we've worked so hard together to create.

Across only eight of Tacoma's largest affordable housing providers, the total amount of rental arrears and damages tied to LFCI eviction moratoriums now exceeds two and a half million dollars.

That's two and a half million dollars diverted away from the maintenance, staffing, safety, and the supportive services that keep tenants stably housed, as well with the development of more housing.

We deeply appreciate that the council listened to these concerns and made thoughtful changes to the landlord fairness code.

The exemption for deed restricted affordable housing included in substitute ordinance 29086 is a necessary safeguard.

Affordable housing sees a return of 3% on their rent.

They aren't overleveraged.

They're dependent on declining public funding.

The reality is is that if we don't act now, we will see more tents like you saw in the front of City Council, because we will no longer be able to house the people that need housing.

Every month of delay means deeper deficits, more deferred repairs, and greater risk for the thousands of residents who rely on us.

Please pass substitute ordinance 29086 tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you, Amanda.

No clapping bill.

Good evening, Council.

Once again, my name is Corey Jolseth, and I am again speaking on behalf of the Rental Housing Association of Washington and our 6,000 members across the state.

Well, we acknowledge uh and appreciate some of the proposed changes, most notably the exemption for a large portion of our membership with four units or less, and the increased encouragement for timely payment of rent.

Our small providers will need to see more changes before any move is made to return en masse to Tacoma.

To illustrate my point, last week I left the council with our executive summary from a two-year survey with our membership.

And in case you haven't had a time to take a look at it, I'll give you some of the highlights.

Between 2024 and 25, the number of respondents who use property managers instead of being owner operators doubled, meaning increased regulatory costs for our members across the board.

Additionally, the reported rates of consultation with a landlord tenant attorney or paying for a membership to a trade association such as RHA increased accordingly.

77% of our respondents said they have sold or are considering selling when their current lease terms end.

These are not just stories, this is reality.

Talk to any realtor, broker, mortgage lender that serves the Tacoma area, and they will tell you how many single family homes or duplex rental properties have been moving into the owner-occupied pool over the last two years.

As I said last week, this is a very pragmatic first step, and we thank the council for taking it.

But there is much more work to be done.

And I thank you very much.

Thank you, Corey.

Jason.

Good evening, Mayor Woodards and Council members.

My name is Jason Berg.

I'm a first-time homeowner here in Tacoma, and I'm back tonight to support sensible changes to the landlord fairness code initiative because this conversation demands nuance.

I'm not a corporation.

I'm not a portfolio.

I am a neighbor who lives on the same property as the home I rent out.

I work here, I pay taxes here, and I'm trying to build a future here.

So why should I be treated the same as a massive corporate landlords who own unit hundreds of units and view housing purely as a profit machine?

That is not fairness, that is oversimplification.

Housing in the city is not a black and white issue.

I wholeheartedly agree tenants deserve protection from exploitation.

I voted for that.

I believe in that.

But how can fairness exist if protecting one party means financially destroying another, especially when the other is not a faceless company, but a single homeowner trying to hold on to the roof over their head?

I've taken on debt to stay solvent.

I've delayed medical care to make my mortgage payments, my property taxes have gone up while the rent I rely on goes unpaid.

So I have to ask, why does my financial stability matter less than someone else's?

This is not about this is about crafting informed policy that prioritizes the reality of all of its citizens.

Please recognize the difference between community housing providers and corporate landlords.

Build nuance into this code, protect tenants and protect the local affordable providers who help keep Tacoma housed.

Thank you.

Thank you, Jason.

All right.

Um Des Shalfont, Mike Melness, Melsiness, Merlin, Marilyn Kimmerling, Stephanie Iguera, and Aaron Hallenberg.

Good evening.

I'm Des Chalfont, a grocery worker and part of UFCW, uh UFCW Local 367.

I come to speak tonight on tenant rights and drug policy laws and how often they go hand in hand.

Because I often wonder why we have some outdated laws rooted in racial inequality.

But then I remember that this very country was founded upon anti-black racism and indigenous genocide.

A system built unequal.

But then I remember the founding, the historical stain, anti-black hatred, indigenous pain.

This land beneath our feet, a legacy untold, a narrative of power, cruel and cold.

Rewind the clock thousands of years.

Our earth provides some proof.

Plant medicine was sacred.

A natural connection, healing, clear, and free.

Before modern politics dictated what could be fast forward to today.

The legacy remains tough.

The war on drugs, a war against us.

Let's be real, the source of the one strike law and the pain that we feel.

So as we deliberate on local statutes and their reach, laws are often tied to periods where policies were used to control or disenfranchise marginalized communities.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mark.

Good evening, Mark Milsness, founder of Spinnaker Property Management, Chair of the Affordable Housing Consortium.

We manage hundreds of homes in the city of Tacoma that house thousands of people and families.

I am also a combat veteran.

I understand what it's like to serve others before yourself.

And that is exactly what most housing providers do.

Tacoma for all.

Don't be deceived with their lies about their title.

They are exclusionary.

And they said themselves, we want to control the tenants want to control the landlords.

And that's what their agenda is.

To create moratoriums for eviction creates burdens for years up to decades for families that are collared with tens of thousands of dollars of unpaid rent that will never be given the chance to rent again.

Would you rent your home to somebody asking you that owed another landlord money because they didn't pay rent?

I'll answer that for you.

You wouldn't.

December 23rd, stop paying rent.

Owes 23,000 of unpaid rent alone.

B $1,595 a month, never paid rent once they moved in.

$15,000 unpaid rent, and I get 20 more just like that and on.

Please don't make this a city of destitute.

Keep it a city of destiny.

Thank you, Mark.

Marilyn.

Good evening, Council.

I'm Marilyn Kimmerling, uh District One.

And I'm here to speak about the landlord housing, landlord.

Oh, what the it's ordinance 29086.

And I'm here as a human being, looking at our climate, our ethical climate here in the United States, how fear is just spinning people into separation and to cold heartedness.

And just creating chaos.

The situation with the housing is this.

Housing is a human right.

Without housing, people die.

Keep that in mind.

When people are evicted, and they have not destroyed property, but hard times have hit and they've fallen behind, and it's winter time, and they have school children in the city of Tacoma, or maybe they're teaching in the city of Tacoma and they got riffed or whatever it was.

And we evict them.

And these are our neighbors.

Do not change the current ordinance the way it is.

Please, if you cannot find it in your hearts, at least wait until the new council comes in and they have time to look at it more carefully.

Thank you.

Thank you, Marilyn.

Uh Stephanie.

Hi, my name is Stephanie.

Thank you, Council Members and Council Rumba for bringing ordinance 29086 up for discussion.

I've been in property management industry for 20 years.

My company is currently managing over 500 properties in the city of Tacoma for individual landlords.

I am a tenant myself, and I understand how crucial landlord-tenant relationships are to housing.

The Fairness Code's intent was to provide tenant protections and stabilize housing.

Unfortunately, several areas of the COVID have the opposite impact.

As the code stands today, when tenants stop paying during the winter school bans, this becomes challenging for tenants when they're required to move out, owing thousands of dollars in rents, and more often than not, leaving behind damaged properties.

We are also seeing more tenants paying late.

26% of our city of Tacoma tenants pay late with the existing $10 late fee.

And when these tenants need to find new housing, they're no longer desirable tenants, and this creates barriers for housing opportunities.

All landlords should be governed by the same ordinances since they are all equally impacted.

If there are no changes made to this code, it will continue to be detrimental to both tenants and landlords.

The impacts will limit housing opportunities when there's already a housing crisis.

The ultimate goal to find is to find a balance for tenants and landlords to create housing opportunities.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Aaron.

Thank you, Mayor, members of the council for the record.

My name is Aaron Holmberg.

I'm with the Master Builders Association of Pierce County.

Gonna keep it on housing, but I'm gonna switch it up and talk about impact fees only.

So uh here to talk about impact fees and just wanted to share um a few more a few details of the detailed letter that we submitted earlier today to you all.

Um we understand the city's budget shortfalls, especially in the transportation funding, um, and we understand critically support uh the need for infrastructure funding and transportation facilities.

Uh however, there has to, there's got there's got to be a balance in the city of Tacoma.

Uh especially as the city still will require if you put input uh transportation impact fees, the city is still gonna require off-site impacts or off-site improvements, sorry, uh, which pay for uh pay for and build by the developer and the home builder uh for transportation facilities.

So essentially they're gonna have to be required to do the do the improvements and then get hit with the bill on the back end.

Um but more importantly, speaking to the impact fee itself.

I think it's a common misconception conception that the home builder is the one who ultimately pays that bill.

Um that's actually not the case because the uh transportation, any impact fee is tied to the issuance of a building permit.

So that impact fee gets paid by the developer and the builder and has to get financed.

So as they get financed, we have national studies that I'd be uh happy to share, and it should be in the letter we shared, uh, that show for every dollar and impact fee charged to the to the builder that's building the home.

The end user, whether that be the homeowner or the tenant is actually paying a dollar twenty on that impact fee.

So this really is just action by the council making housing more affordable.

Developers and home builders are trying to bring a product to the market that people can get into, attainable levels for everybody.

Um, and we hope you can join us in that work, and we're open to have this conversation, so please reach out because anything we can help with.

Thank you.

Thank you, Aaron.

All right, the next four, the next five.

Jeff Peel, Beverly Allen, Chris Van Vecton, Aiden Gardy, and Josiah J29086.

The good book has something to say about times when public servants might want to serve themselves.

The Lord comes forward to pronounce judgment on the elders and rulers of his people.

Your houses are filled with things stolen from the poor.

How dare you grinding the faces of the poor.

Oh my people, your leaders mislead you, they send you down the wrong road.

Isaiah chapter three.

It's unfortunate the chair is empty.

I was gonna say, Councilmember Rumbaugh.

Don't let this be you.

Recuse.

For the rest of the council, those of you that seem to be picking up the vibe that maybe the public doesn't want this, trust that instinct.

We are watching, we see you, and no matter what you may hear on the radio, we are not, quote unquote, a community that has forgotten about accountability.

Closing the relocation assistance loophole would show respect for the voters' intent.

Do that much.

The rest of the proposals run counter to the will of the voters and are unworthy.

Don't water down these toxic proposals.

Throw the poison out.

Means testing, fee hikes, putting children on the street in winter.

That ain't right.

Voters, voters made the landlord fairness code.

If special interests feel changes are needed, bring tenants to the table.

I'm not a tenant, but I stand in solidarity.

Nothing about them without them.

My name is Jeff Peel.

I am a homeowner in the South End.

Kicking down is not leadership.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, come Ford Beverly.

Good evening, um, Madam Mayor, members of the city council.

I the first observation I have tonight is why now.

We know that now is the first opportunity that you really had to uh make changes to a voter-approved citizens' initiative, which is our right as citizens to bring.

So the timing of this before the new members of the council are seated.

It's an insult to democracy.

It's rushed.

It hasn't been studied.

Tenants have not been brought to the table, and you've heard far too much from landlords.

So this is one-sided and rushed and should not be voted on at all.

But I will thank council members Scott, Diaz, and Walker, for backing amendments that do avoid the worst harms.

And in particular, Councilmember Diaz, um, thank you for bringing forward a proposal to close the loophole for um the uh rent hikes so that uh landlords are only allowed to raise the rent uh once per year, uh, 4.9%.

And then I just wanted to close with my perspectives as as a lawyer and as a business owner myself.

First of all, it is absolutely incorrect to say that you cannot have evictions of tenants who are causing a nuisance or making conditions unsafe or otherwise damaging property.

That's just not true.

Second of all, uh the question of uh rents and the the ability to collect rents, that's not in question.

Nothing about the landlord fairness code says you can't pay your rent.

So please don't listen to the lies, and thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Chris.

Good evening.

Uh hello.

My name is Chris Van Vecton, and in 2013, the city council appointed me to the TCRA, which administers federal loans and grants to the Tacoma's low-income housing programs.

I spent the past 12 years doing public defender work representing our city's most vulnerable, and in the winter of 2008, I myself was evicted for my home in Tacoma.

I am nonetheless here today to support any proposed modification that creates any exemptions to eviction moratoriums that are making it harder to get housed in Tacoma.

Like most people here, I believe in the necessity of universal housing.

But I also understand that all systems and all societies ultimately depend on reciprocity and mutual responsibility to function.

And because these moratoriums all but eliminate the most basic obligations of being a tenant from the social contract, finding a home in Tacoma for our most vulnerable has never more has never been more difficult than now.

You don't need to take my word for it.

Just ask ChatGPT or whatever your favorite AI search engine is to give you one example anywhere it's ever been tried of seasonal eviction moratoriums lowering the cost of housing or doing anything to keep people from becoming homeless.

It frankly does the opposite.

So I don't know why anyone would ever defend this law.

The results we're seeing today are not defensible.

Every day, both tenants and landlords are being hurt because of this.

And in my opinion, waiting any longer to do something would be unconscionable.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chris.

Aidan.

Hi, my name's Aidan, and I'm a steering committee member of Tacoma for All and a resident of District 2.

The timing of the vote on the landlord fairness code is so insulting.

Two years ago and one day, the code became law, and now you're taking the earliest legal opportunity to slash away at common sense protections for renters.

This is a slap in the face to the working people of Tacoma who passed this into law.

This entire process shows that this city council remains fundamentally accountable accountable to wealthy landlords and business interests, not to Tacoma's working class majority.

I acknowledge that there have been some changes in the past couple weeks to limit some of the harmful harmful effects of this ordinance.

But on the whole, this ordinance is a net negative for the housing crisis in Tacoma.

The remaining rollbacks in the ordinance before council tonight will worsen the already profound affordability crisis facing Tacoma.

It's no coincidence as well that many of you are landlords yourselves.

Must be nice to own property.

Must be nice to own so much property that you can rent some some of it out.

Must be nice to have someone else pay your mortgage for you.

Your vote on this measure presents an obvious conflict of interest.

I call on all city council members who are landlords to recuse themselves from this vote.

I demand that you stop this rush to roll back voter-approved tenant rights, and I demand transparent negotiations with tenants at the table.

Thank you.

Okay.

We're almost done.

If you all could please hold your snapping and clapping till everyone is finished.

Thank you.

Josiah.

Hi.

My name is Josidevine Johnson.

I live in Hilltop.

And unlike some of the people in this room, I don't ask Chat GBT what should be done.

I ask the people that are struggling.

I know that you've heard from a lot of those people that are struggling.

And as one incredible leader among us, Francis Fay said, it doesn't seem that some of you have been listening.

Some of you, Sarah Rumba, as well as other members in this audience have talked about accountability.

Some of you have talked about how you are unable to help move things along due to damages supposedly caused by those who are able to utilize the tenant bill of rights and how condescending it is to blame those who are the poorest in Tacoma, those who are not able to even afford rent.

To say that these are the people causing the most harm in our units.

How harmful it is to blame the poor for these damages, and then to say, oh, but we have to get rid of this tenant bill of rights that helps those that cannot afford it because they keep causing harm.

No, they don't.

Anyone that causes damages can get evicted.

As we've heard, the tenant Bill of Rights does not affect those that cause damages or things like that.

And how odd it is that we would grump group those people together.

I encourage you to not pass these amendments.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Um, Ornado Mara, Jackie A.

Marcus Barlett, and Denise Wells.

And then the last two, uh Holly Rydell Kelly and David Rose.

Arnaldo Left.

Arnaldo Left, okay.

Jackie A.

Oh, okay.

Hi.

Uh my name is Jackie Ayello, and I'm a renter in Proctor and a steering committee member for Tacoma for All.

And I'm speaking towards the Landlord Fairness Code.

50% of residents in Tacoma are renters, and of those, 50% of them are currently rent burdened.

I've spoken the statistic in here before, but um want to speak it again that with every 100 dollars of increase in rent, there is a 10% increase in homelessness.

The landlord fairness code is currently protecting many people from being kicked out as we experience atmospheric rivers and are entering um what is projected to be a very wet and cold winter.

Um attempting to weaken, or sorry, the landlord fairness code was voted on by citizens, and you as city council members are voted in to represent us and what we want.

Attempting to weaken the landlord's fairness code is deliberately going against what we voted for and why we voted for you to represent us in our voices.

It will put half of us in danger of homelessness as the economy is crashing before our eyes.

And none of us have been invited to the table to ask what tenants need.

We've forced ourselves into the conversation.

I ask you to all vote no on ordinance 29086 until tenants are invited to the table, and there have been studies done to prove that any of these amendments will actually benefit our community.

Do not rush these amendments and wait for the next city council and mayor to be sworn in so they can continue to study and speak to us before amendments to the landlord fairness code are made.

Thank you.

Thank you, Jackie.

Marcus.

Uh hello, my name is Marcus.

I am a worker and a tenant.

Uh, to the members of the council who negotiated uh Councilmember Rumbaugh's proposed amendments towards something more uh closely resembling the existing legislation, uh, one might ask uh why.

Uh I assume the answer is that you knew how the remaining members would vote and opted for a harm reduction strategy.

Um at least that's that's what I hope what the rationale was.

Uh given that you all have decided how to vote already, uh I'll refrain from uh pleading with any of you to vote against the motion, especially since voting in favor is in the class interest of many on the council.

On Saturday, the tenants at New York apartments uh and Councilmember Rumbaugh's district uh announced the formation of Tacoma's first majority tenant union.

And this announcement should make every landlord in the city concerned.

A tenant union can make a statement louder than any of any of us lined up to perform for you.

Their action can strike where you really care.

Your bottom line.

When you move to strip away our hard fought protections, we will engage in direct action to protect ourselves.

The fight is just beginning, and we are on the offensive.

Victory is not guaranteed, but understand we have something more powerful than your votes, more powerful than all the money the landlords will continue throwing in our way.

We have our solidarity.

Denise Good evening, Mayor Woodards, the State Council.

My name is Denise Wells.

I'm here to represent Metropolitan Development Council, currently known as MDC.

We are a nonprofit for the city of Tacoma.

We have 218 approximately 218 units of nonprofit housing within the city.

Those supportive services help them with all of the things they need.

We work very hard to ensure that they have the best of what they need.

Unfortunately, we have suffered year after year huge losses from non-rental payments.

435,000 last year would have gone very far to help other people who needed to be needed to have housing.

And so that would have really really helped them.

And so we're really asking for this exemption for nonprofits.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Holly Rydell Kelly, followed by David Rose.

Hi.

Holly Right L.

Kelly, I was actually a landlord for 10 years, 10 years ago.

My mortgage was fixed and it never changed.

Do you know what did change?

The value of my property.

Even with a crash in 2008, property value still went up significantly over time.

The same is true for every single landlord from mom and pop to corporate behemoth.

Being a property owner is a risky business, though, whether you are owner occupied or a house hoarding property manager.

Housing should not be real property or should be real property, not a financialized asset or line item for profit ledger.

And more importantly, tenants should not be footing the bill for the risky business of over-leveraged properties for capital gains like the stock market.

Lastly, I keep hearing about damaged property.

Does any owner-occupied homeowner knows the paint peels, the carpets go threadbare, appliances expire, etc.?

Even walls get damaged with moving furniture.

This is not damage.

This is entropy.

But there's even greater threats property than tenants, and it's landlord neglect of plumbing, foundations, roofing, siding, etc.

Cutting in the corners in favor of capital appreciation is the most significant culprit of property damage.

So stop scapegoating the tenants who overwhelmingly take great pride in their homes than property managers do in their property.

David Good evening, Council members.

My name is David Rose, speaking on 29086.

Let me make it perfectly clear that this measure before you is about protecting the profitability of the investments of the landlords in this city.

Investments inherently carry risk.

If I invest a half a million dollars in the stock market, there is no guarantee that I am going to be making money.

What exactly is it about investing in another person's access to a basic human need that entitles them to guaranteed profitability on that investment?

There are baked-in benefits that you have heard about in homeownership for investment purposes, namely the value of your property goes up, the equity that you have in that property goes up, the rent that you can charge goes up, but the cost of your mortgage stays the same that entire time.

There are baked-in benefits, but those benefits are all at the expense of your tenants.

Those there are horror stories that we hear about tenants moving in and causing all this destruction.

What you will not hear about is the state of those units before the tenant moved in.

What you will not hear about is how much they raised the rent on those units before that tenant was evicted.

What you won't hear about is the five, ten, fifteen plus percent that they were increasing their rent that precipitated the eviction and the eviction notice that precipitated that destruction.

That's the story that you won't hear from the landlords.

A lot of these arguments are illogical, they are unfounded, and they are based in a fundamental cruelty.

Here's a one illogical argument.

The houses, if a small landlord neglects their property and they can no longer maintain it, the house doesn't go away.

It gets sold to somebody else who either occupies it or puts it back up for rent.

The houses aren't going away.

If there's a shortage, it's a shortage of supply in the market.

They're a waiting list.

The idea that we should kick someone out on the street because there are other people waiting to be housed as if the people we're kicking out don't deserve to be housed themselves.

They're gonna go right back onto a waiting list.

What about thank you?

Make a policy that is humanity first.

If you want to make it so that you can evict people and or whatever, make it so that that is the exception, not the rule.

Thank you.

All right.

Are there any other people who have signed up in the chambers?

All right, I'm gonna declare the public comment period in the chambers closed.

Um I will now go to um the people, the few people that we have signed up online, and we'll start with April Smith.

Hello, Mayor and Council.

I want to thank Councilmember Diaz for resolution 41817.

I appreciate your dedication to these issues during this political landscape that we are experiencing.

And please vote no on ordinance two nine zero eight six.

No landlords should be voting tonight due to the conflict of interest and should recuse themselves.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, go ahead and put yourself on mute and then take yourself off again.

We still can't hear you.

Can you hear me now?

We can hear you now, Sam.

Go right ahead.

All right, my apologies.

Uh, thank you, council members.

My name is Sam Spiegelman, uh, associate counsel of the Citizen Action Defense Fund, which currently represents the Tacoma Housing Provider challenging the LFC on both statutory and constitutional grounds.

Respectfully, the proposed amendments to the LFC would not cure any of the ordinances' fatal legal defects.

We take no position on how the council should vote.

Primarily wish to highlight that the proposed amendments would not cure the LFC's existing legal and constitutional defects.

None of the proposed changes addressed the following.

The LC's seasonal eviction ban violates the takings clause of the US Constitution because it deprives housing providers fundamental right to exclude others.

Uh, for example, former tenants from their property, unless there is a bona fide emergency, as the US Supreme Court established and blocked V Hirsch in 1924.

This requires more than mere recitation that such evictions burden former tenants.

I believe a more falsome investigation of the safety concerns motivated the cold weather ban would properly result in a much narrower ban than November 15 to March 15.

The relocation assistance program is still too burdensome on housing providers and does not meet the threshold question of proportionality, which the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals highlighted in a 2022 case.

The relocate finally, the relocation assistance requirements limits returns on rent increases.

This could interfere with housing providers' right to a reasonable return, which the US Supreme Court addressed in Pennel V City of San Jose in 1988, and which is likely to return to the uh Supreme Court a number of cases that are uh on petition for review.

Thank you.

Thank you, Sam.

Um Kathy Irwin.

Hi, my name is Kathy Irwin.

I'm a district three South Tacoma resident, and I am uh wanting to speak tonight to vote to put this on hold with ordinance two nine zero eight six, the rental housing code um landlord fairness uh code initiative.

The reason why I'm saying this is because apparently this is really being rushed through, and this is evidenced by the work plan that is supposed to be going on in 2026 that really needs to be done before any more changes are made with the code.

The work plan includes um a number of things that should have been done right at the front, which looks at tools for renters to end a lease early, includes rental assistance, landlord insurance for damage units and unpaid rent.

There is a lot more in the way of solutions that could have been worked on ahead of time.

Instead of this whole situation and dividing landlords and tenants in a big divide for something that's trying to be rushed through, likely because it is an election year.

So this is not something that needs to be taken care of in 2025, and it would be to everyone's best interest if you put this on hold and take care of our council from the memorandum before you move forward on any of this.

And it would be to everyone's best interest if you put this on hold and take care of our council from the memorandum before you move forward on any of this.

Thank you.

Thank you, Kathy.

Alyssa Torres.

Thank you, Mayor Woodard.

Good evening, uh, City Council.

My name's Alyssa Torres.

Um, I'm a landlord in district four.

Um, I do shared housing for youth and young adults who are um exiting homelessness or at risk of homelessness and are um part of marginalized communities.

And um, you know, yes, there are challenges, and yes, I have tenants who are behind in rent because of disabilities or work accidents and an unstable job market.

Um, but first and foremost, I'm a human being and I believe in tenants' rights.

And I uh approve and I and I believe in voter approved uh rental protections.

Um, you know, I know if if changes are needed, and it sounds like there, you know, there are some changes that are needed for those uh subsidized or affordable housing providers.

You know, I think we should take the time to do it thoughtfully and listen to the needs of tenants and maybe some other smaller landlords or or landlords that aren't as um opposed to some of these changes uh or the rights um to make sure that we're meeting the needs of our most uh vulnerable community uh members and our neighbors because um this is this is uh a life-changing thing, and we need to make sure that we're doing it right and taking the time to uh make sure we can get it as right as possible.

So um, yeah, I urge you guys to continue to think about this and take the time that's needed to make sure that um we continue to protect tenants.

Thank you.

Thank you, Alyssa.

And Alyssa was our last speaker, so I'm gonna declare the public comment period completely closed.

Bring it back to the full council.

We're gonna move on to our regular agenda.

Thank everyone for testifying this evening, and we'll move on to item four.

Clerk, will you please read?

Resolution 41812, a resolution awarding a contract to Axon Enterprise Inc.

in the amount of five million four hundred and four thousand dollars nine hundred and seventeen cents or nine hundred and seventeen dollars and eight cents plus applicable taxes budgeted from the general fund for in-car video and body worn camera equipment, software, maintenance, and accessories for an initial contract term of five years.

All right, are there any council questions or comments?

Madam Mayor.

There's not a motion here yet.

Oh, right ahead.

Thank you.

I move to approve resolution number 41812.

Second.

All right, are there any council questions or comments?

Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting resolution number 41812 signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, the resolution is declared adopted.

Moving on to resolutions item five, Clerk, will you please read?

Resolution 41813, a resolution approving an amended and reinstated joint use agreement with the Museum of Glass to allow the museum to make structural and use changes to portions of the city-owned park parking garage located at 1801 Dock Street.

I move to adopt resolution number 41813.

Second.

All right.

Um, we heard from staff regarding this item at our study session.

I'm bringing forward this resolution related to the Museum of Glass and the public garage on FOSS Waterway to support a long-standing cultural partner while ensuring that the city's interest and responsibilities are fully protected.

Since the city's cleanup and redevelopment of the FOSS in the 1990s, the museum has been a key partner in creating the cultural and public access vision we set for the area.

The city built um and has operated the garage for more than 20 years as the as uh of that partnership.

The museum is now requesting um an updated joint use agreement so that they can make in needed improvements to a portion of the garage.

These upgrades are intended to enhance visitor experience and maintain safety and accessibility, but they will reduce the number of parking stalls.

Because of that, the agreement outlines how the city and the museum will evaluate and balance the value of those changes, and it includes full indemnification for any environmental issues related to the construction.

Approving this agreement allows the permitting process to begin, where the city will thoroughly review the plans for compliance with all code and environmental requirements.

Are there any council questions or comments?

We did just discuss this today at noon.

Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting resolution number 41813 signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, the resolution is declared adopted.

Moving on to item six.

Clerk, will you please read?

Resolution 41814, a resolution expressing support for the passage of proposition number one, replacement of expiring levy for K through 12 educational programs and operations, and proposition number two, replacement of expiring levy for K through 12 technology improvements and upgrades submitted by Tacoma School District to be considered at the February 10th, 2026 special election.

I move to adopt resolution number 41814.

Second.

All right.

I spoke to this resolution to support the school district's levies last week at our study session.

Our young people are among our community's most important constituents, and supporting the TPS propositions is a vital investment in their safety, well-being, and future success.

Ensuring they have the strong educational foundation needed to thrive and to continue contributing to the future of our city.

These propositions would continue existing funding for vital programs and supporting our partners at the school district aligns with our strategic priorities for our community.

With that, are there any additional council questions or comments?

Councilmember Hines.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

I'm going to be voting in favor of this, but I also just like to disclose that I do work for the Tacoma Public School District when I'm not here at the City Council.

Great.

Thank you, Councilmember Hines.

Councilmember Walker.

Thank you, Mayor.

I also um work part-time for the school district and want to um just disclose that before we take the vote.

Great.

Thank you very much.

All right, seeing no further questions, all those in favor by of adopting resolution number 41814 signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed.

The resolution is declared adopted.

Moving on to item seven.

Clerk, will you please read?

Resolution 41815, a resolution designating Kochi India as the friendship city.

Um, as I mentioned at study session, a friendship city designation serves as an initial step towards a formal sister city partner.

Oh, yes.

I need I'd like to move to adopt resolution number 41815.

Second.

Thank you.

Uh you you welcome.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Hines.

Um, I'll start over again.

Um, as I've mentioned at study session, a friendship city designation serves as an initial step towards a formal sister city partnership.

Allowing time for engagement and evaluation to ensure the relationship is the right fit.

The proposed connection between Tacoma and Kochi is rooted in in shared strengths and complementary priorities.

Both cities are diverse coastal communities with strong port operations, growing creative economies, and deep commitments to sustainability and community-driven development.

Forming this relationship would broaden Tacoma's global engagement, support the sister cities council in strengthening its region and international networks, and open new opportunities for cultural education and economic exchange.

This resolution includes a planned review in approximately five years to assess whether to advance to a sister city relationship or sunset the friendship city designation.

Are there any additional council questions or comments?

Councilmember Sidalgay.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

Uh, and I have a real quick question, if I could just be added as a co-sponsor.

We just uh staff mentioned it was left off.

Um Done.

Thank you.

Um listen, I'm thrilled to see the City of Tacoma officially designate Kochi India as a friendship city and to codify that relationship.

As the first um South Asian-born council member, it's deeply meaningful that I'm here for this vote.

Um it's also been an honor to work with the Tacoma Kochi Friendship City Committee and participate in events and showcase that showcase the arts, cultures, and heritage of India.

Um I know he had to leave, but I also want to thank uh Sayed Jamal and the rest of the sister cities committee for championship uh championing um this relationship over the last uh few years in also in comment to the next resolution.

Sister city relationships are part of what makes Tacoma welcoming and exclusive inclusive now more than ever.

I think it's really important that we have these uh resolutions because it helps uh reaffirm our city's collective value in celebrating each other's cultures, heritage, and connections.

So thank you.

Great.

Thank you very much, Councilmember Sidalge.

Are there any additional council questions or comments?

All right, seeing none, all those in favor of adopting resolution number 41815, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, the resolution is declared adopted.

Item eight, clerk, will you please read?

Resolution 41816, a resolution designating split Croatia as a sister city and formally removing VAR Croatia as a sister city.

I move to adopt resolution number 41816.

Second.

All right, I mentioned this today in study session as well.

Havar Croatia was our original Croatian sister city, adopted as a sister city by resolution 39121 in 2015.

Over the years, a change in leadership led Havar to move away from its sister city relationships.

Since then, Claire Pittridge, Chair of Tacoma Sister Cities, and the Havar Sister City Committee has worked with other Croatian communities to identify a better sister city for the city of Tacoma.

In 2023, the mayor of Split and I signed a letter of intent to begin the relationship and moving towards formal adoption.

I want to take this moment to thank Claire Petridge and the committee for all the work that she has done over the years with our relationships in Croatia to bring this to us today.

Are there any uh additional council questions or comments?

All right, seeing none.

All those in favor of adopting resolution number 41816 signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed.

This resolution is declared adopted.

Moving on to item nine.

Clerk, will you please read?

Resolution 41817, a resolution directing the city manager to clarify the use of city owned property for federal civil immigration enforcement operations.

I move to adopt resolution number 41817.

Oh, second.

I would like to call on council member Diaz.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, and I want to thank you all for considering this resolution before us tonight.

And I want to especially thank my co-sponsors, Mayor Woodards and Councilmember Sidalgay.

Um good stewardship of our city resources and ensuring that the services our taxpayers fund and are delivered efficiently, safely, and without disruption, remains incredibly important to us at the city of Tacoma.

Every building, park, and vehicle owned by the city exists to serve a specific purpose for our residents.

I look forward to reviewing the options to preserve the use of city property in service to our community members first that are brought forward by the city manager in the new year as directed by this resolution, and hope that folks will consider um supporting this.

Please let me know if you have questions.

Thank you, Councilmember Diaz.

Councilmember Sidalgay.

Uh thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Councilmember Diaz, for uh an opportunity to sponsor really peace uh important uh resolution.

Um this resolution directing the city manager to clarify the policies governing the use of city-owned property is about ensuring that our uh public assets remain dedicated to the public functions for which they were established.

We must ensure that the day-to-day operations of the city are not disrupted by external activities that fall outside our local mandate.

It is vital that we distinguish between the city's local obligations and the operations of other jurisdictions as we continue our ongoing work to serve Tacoma's community members.

At the end of the day, this resolution is about preserving operational integrity given the chaos and turbulence we're facing from these other jurisdictions.

I uh look forward to your support uh and consideration of this resolution.

Thank you, Councilmember Sidalge.

I want to thank uh Councilmember Diaz as well for bringing this forward.

Councilmember Diaz and both Councilmember Sidalga, you all have continued to keep your eyes um on what we can do as a city council to make sure that people who live in our community um feel safe.

And while we don't we we don't have a lot of levers that we can pull, certainly this is one, and I thank you for bringing this forward, and I'm honored to stand with you to um to support this uh resolution.

With that, seeing no further comments, all those in favor of adopting resolution number 41817 signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed.

This resolution is declared adopted.

Item 10, Clerk, will you uh please read?

Resolution 41818, a resolution authorizing the one-time use of council contingency funds and the amount of 10,000 dollars to support the Go Great Go Football Program.

I move to adopt resolution number 41818.

Second.

All right, I'd like to call on Councilmember Scott.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I'm excited to bring forward the council contingency friend request to support a new program in Tacoma called Go Grit Go Football.

Uh go get Go Football is hosted by a nonprofit called Goose Girls and is designed to uplift and inspire women through the sport of football.

Uh the program will offer multiple skills clinics in Tacoma that teach football fundamentals to girls ages eight through eighteen, along with the leadership and mentorship workshops, guest speakers from the Tacoma Grit Professional Women's Football Team and Team Building and Community Events as well.

Our council contingency funding would allow for free participation in the skills clinics and help provide training resources, marketing and promotional materials, food and drinks, uh instruction from professional coaches and t-shirts, because who doesn't love swag?

Um, I'm especially excited about this program because I know how vital sports can be for young people.

Sports offer an opportunity to engage in teamwork, build leadership and life skills, and gain confidence.

Go great go will provide our young people with a safe and empowering atmosphere where they can learn and grow.

The program is also designed to foster cultural inclusion, celebrate diversity, and promote unity for young people both on and off the field.

The council contingency fund request is for $10,000.

And I want to thank Mayor Wooders, Deputy Mayor Daniels, and Councilmember Walker.

No, I think sorry, it had the last time.

No, it's it's Heinz and Bushnell.

Um Walker's just in there.

I think maybe I just in my head, you know, we were all a big team on this.

Um but uh yes, for co-sponsoring this, and um looking forward to um having the information when we can all go hang out at one of the sports clinics together.

So hope for your support.

Thank you.

Thank you uh very much.

All right, I'd now like to turn to Councilmember Heinz.

Oh, thank you, Madam Mayor.

Uh, and thank you, Councilmore Scott for bringing this forward and allowing me to be one of the co-sponsors.

Um before I got into this role, I spent 10 years as a football coach both at the college and high school level, um, and a deep love for the passion of the game and the the lessons that it taught.

Um, most of my career is working with young men and the power around teamwork, working together, dedication, perseverance, discipline that came from football was something I deeply valued with a lot of the young men I worked with, and I'm very proud that I'm seeing opportunities like this for young women to also engage in the sport of football.

Um it's been something I've been really excited to see, especially as we see flag football taking off here in Tacoma with our you know, women's um uh wonderful Lincoln High School football team.

Yes that I think may have won the state championship at one point in time, have they not?

I think so.

I know that they beat I know that they beat everybody in China.

China they did.

It's a good thing we didn't send our ping pong team as they said.

That's right.

Um, but uh I I just think that's one of the really interesting cool things I've seen over the last few years was when I played football and coach football.

Um, you know, we had a few women who played for our teams that that were part of the sport.

Um, and that was great, but I think this opportunity extends that even to more uh young women and um gives me a lot of hope for the future of the sport.

Uh so thank you, Councilmore Scott for bringing this forward, and I look forward to supporting this.

Thank you.

Councilmember Bushnell.

Uh thank you, Mayor, and uh just uh also want to echo just my appreciation for Councilmember Scott for bringing this and happy to be a co-sponsor part of it.

Uh, I think it's particularly important to that we um support opportunities for young people and particularly young ladies uh to learn these life critical skills um as councilmember hydro mentioned, uh leadership, uh working on a team and confidence building, and I'm really excited to support this and looking forward to meeting them all.

Okay, I am going to pass it back to Mayor.

Seeing no further council questions or comments, all those in favor of adopting resolution 41818 signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, the resolution is declared adopted.

Moving on to final reading of ordinances.

Item 11, Clerk, will you please read?

Ordinance 29080, an ordinance amending chapter 1.12 relating to the compensation plan to implement rates of pay and compensation for certain represented and non-represented employees and changes to reflect the organizational structure.

All right, this item was presented last week.

Are there any additional council questions or comments?

Seeing none, Clerk, will you please call a roll?

Councilmember Bushnell?

Aye, Deputy Mayor Daniels.

Aye.

Councilmember Diaz.

Aye.

Councilmember Hines.

Aye.

Councilmember Rumba.

Aye.

Councilmember Sidalgay.

Aye.

Councilmember Scott.

Aye.

Councilmember Walker.

Aye.

Mayor Woodards?

Aye.

This ordinance is declared passed.

Moving on to item 12.

Clerk, will you please read?

Ordinance 29081 and ordinance amending subtitle 6A relating to the tax code by amending various sections and repealing section 6a.30.075 to update definitions and administrative provisions effective January 1st, 2026.

All right.

This item was presented last week.

Are there any additional council questions or comments?

All right.

Seeing none, uh Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Deputy Mayor Daniels.

Aye.

Councilmember Diaz?

Aye.

Councilmember Hines.

Aye.

Councilmember Rumba.

Aye.

Councilmember Sidalgay?

Aye.

Councilmember Scott?

Aye.

Councilmember Walker.

Aye.

Councilmember Bushnell?

Aye.

Mayor Woodards.

Aye.

This ordinance is declared pass.

Item 13, Clerk, will you please read?

Ordinance 29082, an ordinance amending Title 10 relating to public works by adding a new chapter to establish transportation impact fees effective June 1st, 2026.

All right, this item was presented last week.

Are there any additional council questions or comments?

Councilmember Sidalgay.

Thank you, Mayor.

I did want to make uh a comment because I will be a nay vote on this ordinance, and I wanted to explain uh the reasoning.

Um I think uh first of all, I think city staff has done a phenomenal job uh presenting uh the options.

Uh my issues with this ordinance are actually uh kind of legal and structural in uh transportation impact fees and recent federal court cases that have come in.

Um, first of all, transportation impact fees are kind of similar to tariffs.

Uh developers aren't paying these.

Um the end users, the renters, the uh triple net uh lease on a commercial uh property or homeowners will eventually pay this.

Um but recent federal court cases have shown that there is an opportunity now for those developers to come back within 10 years and sue us and get that money back due to the nexus and proportionality uh requirement.

I think you know, right now where we have both offside improvement requirements on developments plus this idea of nexus and proportionality plus this fee on top of it.

Um not only does it add a barrier, it is creating a uh legal liability where we're just gonna end up giving this money back eventually.

Um I do understand that this is uh uh likely to pass, and I am fine, but I think it's important that we at least note some of those issues uh right now.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, Councilmember Sidalga, Councilmember Bush Chanel.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

Um I will be supporting this tonight, and I just want to recognize that at the end of the day, um any increase in fees does impact uh the cost of development.

So I recognize that.

Um but we also have to remember that we need to be good stewards over infrastructure, and I do believe that growth should pay for growth.

Um, and we do expect the city to grow significantly.

Um I also believe something like this should have been implemented a long time ago.

Um our infrastructure is has been aging and uh growth has happened without the necessary support uh that it should have had.

Um I also believe that uh because of that, we've actually lost out on a lot of opportunity costs and in quality of life as well as economic development oper uh opportunities because our infrastructure hasn't been up to uh as good as it could have been if we'd had done these fees uh a long time ago.

Um and I do believe that it's better to act now on this, especially with the consideration of the growth that we're expecting in the city.

Um, and I don't want us to lose out on any potential future opportunity costs to uh make sure infrastructure uh meets the needs of our community.

Um I do really want to appreciate the city staff uh and all the folks that have provided input on this.

I know this is a monumental task, and I just gone back to the drawing board multiple times.

Um and so I I do believe that these fees are reasonable, um, especially considering uh all the impacts that are going to be out there.

Um and then there are also um some specific projects that this will also support in the South Tacoma South End area, which improve quality of life for everybody out there.

So I think uh this is uh a good thing, and uh, you know, like like everything, nothing is perfect, and I'm really looking forward to any opportunities to improve this in the future as well.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you very much, Councilmember Bush and now Councilmember Hines.

Uh thank you, Madam Mayor.

Uh I first begin by saying I I will be voting to support this, but I just wanted to apply a couple things that have been kicking around in my mind as we go through this conversation.

Um, first and foremost, um, is abundantly clear through many of the conversations today and the ones we've been having for months now.

Uh we don't have enough housing here in this community.

Um, and obviously clearly not enough affordable housing in this community.

And so when we think about new housing being built, we as a city have to be reflective upon how much we are adding to the cost of building new housing.

Um so impact fees, while yes, I agree growth should pay for growth.

I do think at some level will on the margins lead to fewer units being built.

Um and the question we have to make as a choice as a community is do we think the fees that are gonna be paid through impact fees to offset the impacts of growth are worth whatever potential lack of growth we may or may not see, uh especially when we are desperate need of housing.

And so I recognize we have limited mechanisms by which to capture the impacts of growth, that this is a tool that is available to us, that we have lots of um infrastructure that needs to be built out, capacity needs to be added, um, and this is one way to do that.

I in my mind am continuing to think about the potential impacts of this on the housing we want to see.

Um I will just say I appreciate in the final package that we did provide some exemptions in there for affordable housing.

One of the concerns I had, I was on the YDBCA board when we built the 54 unit affordable housing project for um survivors' domestic violence that is currently been, you know, has been part of the conversation as of late.

And one of the things that was really frustrating for me at that time was we paid thousands upon thousands of dollars to the city for permits, for um system development charges for water, for offside improvement costs, which are really important, right?

We want to make sure as growth happens that we're investing in building our infrastructure, but every dollar that we had to pay for those projects was a dollar we either had to raise or a dollar that we had less to help survivors of domestic violence.

And so we have to just really be conscious of when we add these costs.

Yes, it sounds great for growth to be paid for growth.

When we add costs on the development of building housing, those are dollars that could otherwise, especially in the nonprofit sector, be used to support the people we all, I think many of us in this room believe should be served by those fundraised dollars by those um you know federal dollars or state dollars, city dollars are being used to kind of build that housing.

And so I am voting to support this because I do think it's important that we have something like this in place, but I will say I am cognizant of how much we are adding to the cost of building housing in our city when we desperately need it.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Uh Deputy Mayor Daniels.

Thank you, Mayor Woodards.

Um, I haven't prepared mark remarks for tonight, but I would echo some of what's being been said already.

Um I've spent the last four years advocating for housing in this community, housing affordability.

Um, and I feel like we are neglecting some really hard conversations about what that looks like and what it really means to not just think about the regulation of housing but also the supply of housing and how we balance that with our environment and our infrastructure.

And I'm not um I won't be voting nay tonight because I don't believe in transportation or what that means for our community.

I will be voting nay tonight simply because we have not talked about the cost.

I don't know that any council member here or the community is aware of how much it actually costs to build housing and to support our infrastructure in our community.

It our housing prices are at about $500,000 uh for a single family home here, and we have to start talking about what that looks like and and the part that we play in that as the city of Tacoma.

And I just feel like we haven't had enough robust conversation about that, nor have we studied or talked about um the off-site improvements, on-site improvements, system development charges, and all of the things that we do incrementally.

I feel like we are talking about them siloed, and I think that they need to be talked about together.

Um and I think that this is not a separate conversation from our landlord fairness code.

I think that this all of these conversations happen together as we talk about housing in our community.

And right now I just don't see it, um, and I'm not sure where Tacoma is headed, and for that I will be voting no.

Thank you, Deputy Mayor, Councilmember Walker.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I just wanted to add a few comments.

Um, Ms.

Chair of the Infrastructure Planning and Sustainability Committee.

We've spent a ton of time on this.

Um I want to thank my committee colleagues and the city staff, especially Jennifer Camerzell, for um all of their hard work in evaluating proposals for the transportation impact fees and um interpreting our comments and making a better proposal.

I also want to thank community members who have been asking for this.

Um, I think since at least since I got on council, um, I'm proud to bring forward something that we know is um equitable, that we know um has gone through the process of the larger Ninth Circuit Court case.

So I I'm really I feel really good about what we're putting forward now, even though it has taken longer than we wanted it to.

Um we are one of the last cities in our region to adopt transportation impact fees.

Um, and um I really think that we've found a proposal that is a good fit for our community and our goals.

We're a growing city.

We need to be mindful of the delicate balance between raising funds for critical transportation expansion projects and maintaining an environment that is conducive to robust development, as all of my colleagues have said.

In light of the balance, um, I'm pleased that our transportation impact fees will be among the lowest in the region.

As an advocate for safety and mobility, I'm also excited that ultimately transportation impact fees will help us progress implementing our newly adopted transportation and mobility plan, and we're going to do that work without disproportionately placing the financial burden burden of new growth on existing residents.

Um so feeling very confident in this proposal.

Believe that the transportation impact fees are a vital part of the ecosystem of funding that is needed to bring large infrastructure projects and some of those big uh costly projects that we we believe in that we want to see that connect our uh city life together.

Um, this is part of that process and how we get it done.

So um thank you again to staff who put it all together and made it happen.

Um looking forward to supporting this and and getting it to work.

Uh thank you, Councilmember Walker, and thank you to the IPS committee for all of the work that they did to get us to this point.

So, with that, um clerk, will you please call a roll?

Councilmember Diaz.

Councilmember Heinz.

Aye, Councilmember Rumba.

Aye, Councilmember Sidalgay?

Nay.

Councilmember Scott.

Nay.

Councilmember Walker.

Aye.

Councilmember Bushnell.

Aye.

Deputy Mayor Daniels.

Nay.

Mayor Woodards.

Aye.

This ordinance is declared passed.

Moving on to item 14.

Clerk, will you please read?

Ordinance 29083, an ordinance amending chapter 11.60 relating to automated traffic camera systems by amending various sections and adding a new section to align with state law effective January 1st, 2026.

All right.

This uh this item was presented last week.

Are there any additional council questions or comments?

All right, seeing none, Clerk, will you please call a role?

Oh, yes, Councilmember Savalga, sorry.

We're in 29083, right?

Okay.

Yeah.

Um I I did have a comment on this one.

Um I was originally uh relatively skeptical of automated traffic um enforcement.

And again, I want to thank staff for very detailed um uh information that they uh provided in IPS.

Um I was convinced to support this because of a really really really important thing.

Um studies on on automatic uh automated enforcement have shown that it it accomplishes the most important goal, and that is that it changes behaviors of those speeding in our community.

Um because most people who receive a citation do not re-offend.

It also shows that most violators are visitors who are cutting through our communities and not actually living in the communities, and my district has a large number of those types of dangerous corridors.

Um this program also includes early warning and lower first-time penalties for low income residents and the monies collected not only fund the program itself but provide additional funds to help us do some upgrades that residents all over this uh city have asked for.

Um people throughout District 4 have urged me to take some action on neighborhood uh traffic safety since I took office, and I believe this is this approach is actually a really well thought out and equitable solution, and that's why I am supporting it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Sidalgay.

Councilmember Rumba.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I just wanted to kind of echo what Councilmember Sidalga just said.

I strongly support steps that bring us closer to a future with no traffic fatalities, and this program will encourage safe driving and it answers a long-standing request from the people of Northeast Tacoma.

My Capini community has been calling for this since my first days on the council, and I'm grateful that the recent change in state law made it possible when drivers slow down, lives are protected, and I think that that's very important.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Rump.

Are there any other comments?

All right, seeing none, this item was presented last week.

Um uh clerk, will you please call a roll?

Councilmember Heinz?

Aye.

Councilmember Rumba?

Aye.

Councilmember Sidalgay?

Aye.

Councilmember Scott?

Aye.

Councilmember Walker?

Aye.

Councilmember Bushnell?

Aye.

Deputy Mayor Daniels?

Aye.

Councilmember Diaz.

Aye.

Mayor Woodards.

Aye.

This ordinance is declared passed.

Moving on.

Item 15.

This item was removed from the agenda earlier this evening.

Item 16, this item was removed earlier from the agenda.

Uh this evening.

Moving on to item 16.

Clerk, will you please read?

Or sorry, item 17.

Ordinance 29086 and ordinance amending chapters 1.95 and 1.100 by amending various sections to implement updates regarding landlord tenant issues effective January 1st, 2026.

All right.

This item was presented last week.

Are there any additional council questions or comments?

I move as a substitute, substitute ordinance number 29086.

Second.

All right, I like to call on Councilmember Diaz.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I want to start out by saying how much I appreciate the effort of everyone on the CVS committee, especially Councilmember Rumba for her work on this proposal.

Um there was a particular direct um amount of work that she did to be inclusive and transparent over the course of this year in that committee.

I'm just an alternate on that committee, so I was only able to be in, I think, on one perhaps two meetings, but particularly the November 6th meeting, where we move the proposal forward to the council for our consideration.

Um, there are a couple items throughout that process that didn't quite make it into the final version that I wanted to bring forward here tonight.

Um, and I want to particularly thank Councilmember Rumba and Councilmember Walker, who are members of the CVS committee for joining me in co-sponsoring all three of the items that I'm bringing forward today.

Um, one is this substitute, which um will be removing the cold the AMI requirements and creating cold weather um and adjusting the cold weather eviction prohibition.

Um so we've had a lot of discussion about whether there should be an AMI requirement tied to a cold weather eviction.

Um I particularly appreciate the full council and the ordinance sponsors for exploring this topic.

I think they talked about it a lot in committee before I got there, and there's been a lot of conversation in the community since then.

Um and for the shift between our last conversation and the proposal in front of us that raises the AMI requirement from 80 to 120.

However, that didn't really sit well with me.

I'm not comfortable with means testing as a way of doing business in general in government.

I think putting a burden on our most low-income neighbors is the uh one of the worst things that government can do, especially undue burdens.

So I'm introducing this substitute to take out the AMI requirement.

I think it goes further to protect our low-income people without overburdening them with a cumbersome court process.

Thank you, Councilmember Diaz.

Um, are there any uh questions or comments for councilmember Diaz?

All right, seeing none, the vote is on the substitution of ordinance number two nine zero eight six.

All those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, the motion is declared adopted.

Substitute ordinance number two nine zero eight six is now before us, councilmember Diaz.

Great.

Um so I you need to make the motion.

Yes, okay.

Sorry, sorry.

No worries.

Um thank you.

I want to move to amend ordinance number two nine zero eight six by amending subsection one dot one zero zero dot zero five zero.2 on page 15 lines 13 through 15 to read as follows.

Um the tenant relocation assistant amounts shall be equal to two months of rent for the rent increases of five percent or more within a 12-month period.

However, if notified rent increase is over 7.5% within a 12-month period, the relocation assistant shall be equal to two and a half months of rent, and if the notified rent increase is over 10% within the 12-month period, the relocation assistant shall be equal to three months of rent.

This scale is adopted in recognition of the additional time required to find replacement housing when a tenant's current rent is below the market rate.

Tenant relocation assistant shall be calculated based upon the rent in effect at the time of the rent increase.

Second, all right.

Councilmember Diaz, do you want to explain all that you just read?

I will.

Um, and I also want to give a shout out to our city clerk Nicole for how hard it is to read legalese and then transpose your brain.

Um so I want to say this um lovely jargon that I just read to you says that the first exemption of the voter approved um is the first exempt expansion is an expansion of the voter-approved relocation assistance requirements.

The landlord fairness code initiative was written to require relocation assistance.

Should rent increase more than 5% should the tenant leave the rental due to not being able to afford the cost.

The voter-approved landlord fairness code initiative requires at least 180-day notice for rent increase, which is six months.

The initiative, as written by advocates and passed by the voters, allows for multiple rent increases within a 12-month period that add up to more than 5%, which could allow for more than 5% rent increases within the year without the relocation assistance kicking in.

So, with that said, I would like to expand this tenant protection to say that the relocation assistance would apply if the 5% or more rent increase occurs within a 12-month period.

Hopefully, that makes a little bit more sense than what I read before.

Essentially, we're expanding the um the requirements in the landlord fairness code to close a loophole created by the initiative.

Thank you very much, Councilmember Diaz.

Councilmember Sidalgay.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

Um and thank you, Councilmember Diaz.

I do understand where you're coming from.

Um I will be a uh a no on this, and I do want to explain one of the issues that I have with the way this is written.

Um the state has passed a law that basically that currently allows you to uh cap your annual um rent increases at 7% plus CPI up to 10%, except for new developments.

So there are certain cases where you can go higher.

I do want to point out a really important part of the way this is written.

Um a five percent limit is going to lead to a perverse economic incentive for landlords.

The calculus is gonna be really simple.

If you can find a tenant, and it's gonna take them less than two months to find one, and they can get more than five percent on their term lease, which is the majority of leases, not month to month, but term lease.

Then the rational economic decision for a lot of these large landlords is to simply not renew that lease and find a new person.

And what are the economic conditions that allow for that?

The economic conditions that allow for that is exactly what we have right now, which is not enough inventory and a lot of demand, not enough housing, and a lot of people looking for it.

If you don't want to, and this won't be done by the smaller guys, this will be done by people who uh by organizations that own scores of rentals because they'll understand what the current market rate for that rental is.

And this is a really important point because this is where policies, if not well thought out, can lead to things like these perverse economic incentives.

Um while I will be voting no against this, if this passes, I do support the following two resolutions that are coming after it.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Councilmember Sidalga.

Are there any other comments or questions?

All right, seeing none, the vote is on the motion to amend substitute ordinance number two nine zero eight six.

All those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed.

The motion is declared adopted.

Amended substitute ordinance number two nine zero eight six is now before us.

Thank you, Mayor.

I move to amend the amended ordinance number two nine zero eight six by adding subsection one dot nine five dot zero six zero dot B at page six line eighteen through nineteen to read as follows.

Um notice of rent increase shall specify the percentage of the rent increase, the amount of the new rent, the description of the rental relocation assistance program, and how the relocation assistance payment will be calculated and the date on which the increase becomes effective, and if applicable, a description of the rental relocation assistance program and how the relocation assistance payment will be calculated.

The notice shall be in a form established by the city of Jacoba.

Second.

All right.

I'd like to call in Councilmember Diaz.

Um thank you, Mayor.

Um, this is another small amendment that came just after we turned in everything last week.

Um that adds language to the rental housing code that was previously in the rental housing code.

This retains the requirement that landlords inform tenants when they raise rents if the tenant is eligible for relocation assistance.

It also retains the requirement requirement that the city use a city created form to give this notification.

So this is an additional layer of notification for folks about what's going on here in the city.

Great.

Thank you, Councilmember Diaz.

Councilmember Rumba.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I just want to say I really support this because I think anything we can do to help educate um our renters and provide more information about the the opportunities that we have available.

I think it's important.

Um, and so I I will be supporting this.

Thank you very much, Councilmember Rumba.

All right, seeing no further comments.

The vote is the vote is on the vote is on the motion to amend amended substitute ordinance number two nine zero eight six.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed.

The motion is declared adopted.

Amended substitute ordinance number two nine zero eight six is now before us.

Councilmember Hines.

Yes, I move to amend amended ordinance number two nine zero eight six by amending subsection one dot 100.050.4 on page 15 lines 17 and 18 by removing the current language in subsection four and replacing it with the following.

In the event that the tenant fails to relocate by the end of the lease period or signs a new lease to remain in the dwelling unit, the tenant must repay relocation assistance within 10 days.

Second, right?

I'd like to call on council member Hines.

Yes.

Uh uh, this was something that came up uh way back in 2030 2023 when the first initial ordinance was before us, which was tenants, if um they're given a notice above a certain threshold, are entitled to relocation assistance um within 30 days of that notice.

But then once they've received that relocation assistance, um their the goal is that they will then try to find a new place to move to or they will re-sign the lease.

One of the things that was in the language of the in the initial initiative was that just said that the they must the tenant must repay the relocation assistance with no date certain with no guidance of when the money should be returned.

So all this is doing is just adding within 10 days of the tenant either signing a new lease, agreeing to the terms, and or remaining in the unit past the leasing period, they would need to return the relocation systems.

They were not utilizing for the purposes of relocating.

I think this um clarifies a little bit of that.

And since um we are continuing with the relocation assistance um based on the um work of council Diaz, um, I think this just is good important language to provide some certainty for every all parties involved.

Um I want to thank Council Mr.

Diaz for green co-sponsor this ordinance and open for any questions, Madam Mayor.

Thank you, Councilmember Hines.

I don't see any questions.

So the vote is on the motion to amend amended substitute ordinance number two nine zero eight six.

All those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Those opposed.

The ayes have it.

The motion is declared adopted.

Amended substitute ordinance number two nine zero eight six is now before us.

Councilmember Scott.

I move to amend amended organ ordinance number two nine zero eight six to add on page five a new section five reading as follows.

Uh section five, this ordinance and all of its implemented amendments shall sunset no longer sunset and no longer be in force and effect as of 12 a.m.

on January 1, 2029, provided that the sunset of the provisions of this ordinance shall not affect any claims for violation of any provision of this ordinance accruing prior to the sunset date.

All right, I'd like to call on council member Scott.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I want to take a moment to thank folks for working hard on what we have before us.

Um and appreciate that some of my initial feedback was incorporated as well.

Um this really is a complex issue, and I think that having a diverse range of input is going to get us closer to the best outcome.

Um, as many of you know, I've had a hard time with this proposal, and I recognize that the landlord fairness code initiative is not perfect, but I'm also concerned that so many members of a our community are not pleased with the proposed changes, and it's not um just on one side of the argument.

It seems like there is a lot of dissatisfaction all around.

Uh, this is a voter-approved initiative, and I believe that we need to be particularly mindful of protecting the public's intent.

And as I have reflected on this report, uh this proposal, the one consistent message I have heard is that we need more time for dialogue and about how and about how to best protect tenants and landlords in our city.

We need more time to have stakeholders come to the table and develop a shared vision for a way forward.

In light of this, I'm proposing an amendment that all changes adopted tonight, if depending on how the vote goes, be in place for only three years and then sunset.

Um, this amendment would allow us, would give us the chance to fix some of the urgent problems now, while also ensuring that we all come back to the table to continue discussions.

Um, I want us to all have sufficient time to share our perspectives and make positive choices for our community.

And I believe that our community and our city council, I believe in our community and our city council, and I know that we can work together to find a path that we're all confident in.

Um this is not to say that things cannot be updated and changed in the meantime, and between the between now and the uh January 2029 date.

Um it does not mean that if we get to that date in 2029, that um somebody on this council can't say actually figured out with all of our data that these were the exact changes we needed, and let's keep them that way.

Uh, but I think that this is going to commit us all to making sure that we are doing our best to um actually take the time to track the data that we are seeing from these potential changes um to look and take the time to listen to people from all sides of this issue and figure out how we make policy that actually gets to the point of the things that we're trying to do.

Yes, we are trying to make sure that we are protecting tenants.

Um I know some people think that the pendulum has swung too far in one direction.

I do not think the answer is to swing it too far back in the other.

And so um what I am looking forward to is spending time doing more um earnest engagement with you all um and making sure that I am in a place where I feel more comfortable uh as we continue to update this code and look at the impacts of the changing market as well as the changing needs of tenants.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Councilmember Scott, Councilmember Diaz.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I want to thank Councilmember Scott for putting forward this amendment, but respectfully say that I will not be voting in favor of it and encourage my council colleagues to also not vote in favor of it.

Um there are many reasons, but one of the biggest ones is throughout this entire process, I have not heard a single community member ask for a sunset, and the sunset was not daylighted at study session today.

As a matter of fact, no one on council saw it until the script went out about five 445, 430 today.

Um, so I don't think it's had the proper scrutiny.

Um, but one of the biggest reasons I won't be voting for this is the current as amended ordinance before us includes the closure of the landlord fairness um code um loophole.

So this would also sunset that loophole closure, and that's a problem for me because we worked really hard with advocates and with the chair with the committee to get that closure as well as some of the other um negotiated on protection.

So I don't want to sunset work that's already been done.

And it is my understanding further that um while just being an alternate to the CVS committee, um reconciling the landlord fairness code with the rental housing code is on their agenda for next year.

So there's gonna be a robust amount of conversation around how we make sure that those codes become one city code so that they are clear for landlords and tenants to help navigate all of these complex processes.

So I don't see a reason to sunset this when there's already gonna be more work that should theoretically happen and be done by the next council before this would even sunset.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember uh Diaz.

Councilmember Walker.

Um thank you, Mayor.

Just a few um clarifications on this.

So um this, so if nothing happened on ordinance number 29086, however it's passed tonight, this would sunset everything that we do tonight and go back to the original, or would it sunset all landlord fairness?

It is only about the changes that are being that will be made tonight.

So there would still be a landlord fairness code.

Yes, okay.

Um, and how why why 2029?

Um the it usually takes some time for us to do this work in earnest.

Um it took us a little while to get here, and I think um I what I would have appreciated is us spending more time on this in general instead of doing this today.

Um, and so I feel a big part of this is that we don't have accurate accurate data, and it does take time to get that.

So this gives the opportunity for the changes that are potentially going to be made tonight to be tracked with more scrutiny and looking at it closely.

This does not stop us from having that conversation in CVS next year whatsoever, and it does not immediately sunset the work that has been done and maybe passed tonight.

Um it just puts us on a timeline to make sure that we are if we look at this over the next two two to three years and we get to that point and we say, okay, like we figured out that keeping the AMI off is fine.

We want to keep it like that.

That loophole that we closed, great, let's keep that loophole closed.

It doesn't change that.

We would just need to vote to say these are the things we're keeping.

And because of what we learned, these are the things that we might want to add to this as well.

Okay, so this is the intent is really just to push us to do more work.

Yes, okay.

And then um, I think my last just clarifying question is to so as we do additional work, we will have to come back and edit this piece of it, or this would continue to apply to any additional work on this ordinance.

Yeah, I mean, it has that date in there, so uh I think either the date of the sunset would have to change or that piece would have to come out.

Yes.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Um Councilmember Walker, Deputy Mayor Daniels.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Um, and again, I apologize for not having prepared remarks tonight.

Um so I'll just make my remarks uh that I have on all of these, I guess now.

Um I am really proud of the work that we've some of the work that we've done in the city of Tacoma to provide um housing and to recognize that um housing our community is an issue and affordability is an issue, and I appreciate the um I appreciate Councilmember Scott for noting that we are um probably making this policy a little bit too fast.

Um when I don't know what to do, and when there are um opinions all over the place, I I tend to rely on data and I tend to rely on numbers and what we what is actually going on, and right now I feel like there's a lot of noise going one way and going the other.

And if we can spend 10 years figured out what to do with our tide flats, I feel like we owe our homeowner, our homes, our people, um, a little bit more time than what we've had to discuss this.

That's not to say that I um am on any one side of it, but I am on the side of uh real data and I'm on the side of making informed decisions.

I can make hard decisions, but I like to make them when I am informed on what we're doing.

Um, and I don't feel like we have that tonight.

Tonight we have a set of amendments that conflict with each other.

Um, and I just don't feel like it's good policy altogether.

I recognize our nonprofits, I recognize that we absolutely need to be protecting our units that we do have that are affordable.

I recognize that we have so many conflicting interests, and I want to make sure that we are protecting humanity.

And tonight I do not feel like I have done my job in in terms of being informed.

And um, I cannot vote um for policies that that don't have that.

And so that is uh that's where I'm at tonight.

Um yeah.

Thank you, Deputy Mayor.

Are there any additional council questions or comments?

Councilmember Sadalga.

Uh I just have a certifying question.

Is there still a moment uh opportunity to comment on everything together after this?

Okay, so thank you.

Um for this specific amendment, uh, I would be a no for the same reasons that Councilmember Diaz listed.

Are there any additional council questions or comments?

All right.

Um the vote is on the motion to amend amended substitute ordinance number two nine zero eight six.

All those are in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Those opposed, nay.

Will uh will the clerk please call the roll?

I think I know what the answer is, but please call it.

Councilmember Rumba.

Nay.

Councilmember Sidalgay?

Nay.

Councilmember Scott?

Aye.

Councilmember Walker.

Aye.

Councilmember Bushnell?

Nay.

Deputy Mayor Daniels.

Aye.

Councilmember Diaz.

Nay.

Councilmember Heinz.

Nay.

Mayor Woodards.

Aye.

Um, the motion is declared failed.

Um, amended substitute ordinance number two nine zero eight six is now before us.

This is the time.

Um, if you want to make any uh further comment before the vote.

Councilmember Sidalgay.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

Um I just want to state that I came from a part of the East Coast where there were robust and flexible policies that help balance the power dynamic between landlords and tenants in the favor of tenant uh of tenants, and as a renter for a very long time on the east coast, uh I benefited from that.

So when I moved here, I was absolutely appalled by the sheer lack of protections.

And I recognized that there was a need to reform the landlord tenant laws here in Tacoma with intention, with research, with outreach and thought.

But I do believe that the well-intentioned the LFCI policies as written have caught have had consequences that are bad for this city.

And these policy uh these consequences will lead to more displacement and not less because the net effect is to lead to fewer housing units being built when we need more housing every single day.

I wish every single one that is getting built is a homeownership type unit, but I also understand that a level of rental units is important in the ecosystem that we have.

Every single thing, one of the things I've learned, and I wish I could take you guys all on these tours that I go on.

Every single thing we do as a city is made harder because there are not enough homes for the people who've moved here.

Whether it's police or fire or homeless services or library services, every single thing is made harder, and I want more homes.

And I think we need to be thoughtful about that.

And so though I may not agree with every single change that's in this revision, I will be supporting this entire ordinance and changes as a whole because we can't afford to put them off.

I also look forward to additional discussions next year as we tackle this issue in a more holistic manner because it is our responsibility up here to consider well thought out policies that balance the rights and responsibilities in the favor of tenants, in my opinion, while providing for sustainable and responsible growth.

Thank you, Councilmember Sidalge.

Councilmember Hines.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

I'll make this relatively brief and to the point.

You know, the question that's come up multiple times this evening is why now.

And you know, I would just begin by saying I've asked that same question myself.

Um and the question I've come back to is because I was on the board of the YBCA when we built a 54 unit affordable housing complex for survivors' domestic violence, and there's concern that those 54 people could be out on the streets because the YPCA can no longer operate that facility.

When we look at the Tacoma Housing Authority and the fact that because of the costs of some of the some of the things in the Landworth Fairness Code, they may face um their inability to provide housing for people in this community.

Some of the people I think we all truly agree are the most deserving of housing.

Uh gives me not only pause, but a reason that we need to move deliberately on this.

I know that she has spent a long time uh working on this.

I know she's talked to lots of folks, including many of the people in this room about this proposed change.

And I know that at this point in time, this is just the beginning and not the end.

And I know that we will continue to have this conversation in your head with a new council.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Hines.

Are there any other comments?

All right, Councilmember Rumba.

Thank you, Mayor.

And I want to um start just saying access to housing is something our community careless cares deeply about.

Our community has a deep and substantive need for housing and especially need to preserve and develop affordable housing.

As with many families, my parents got divorced and my life was completely changed when we were put into a precarious economic situation.

My family ended up in public housing and we struggled to make ends meet.

The reality is when you're poor, there's a setback after setback, but we always had a place to live.

Families in Tacoma need a place to live.

Throughout the development of this ordinance, all conversations were through the lens of two key goals outlined in the Landlord Fairness Code initiative.

How do we protect families and reduce homelessness?

How do we balance the needs of the landlord tenant and Tacoma while uh while creating a partnership to ensure safe, healthy, and thriving rental housing in Tacoma?

This policy review has been a long journey filled with research, community outreach, and deliberation.

I want to thank the hundreds of community members and organizations who've reached out to me with their feedback.

I especially want to thank the organizations that have invested in research and data collection and who have shared that information with us to help inform our choices.

The reality is despite the landlord fairness code initiative intentions, it has dire and consequences for our city, most notably on our low-income housing providers who provide housing to those with the greatest need.

Families and children rely on the stability of our low-income housing providers, not just the current housing, but also low-income housing developers' ability to finance and build more housing.

The Tacoma Housing Authority alone has more than 10,000 people on their wait list and has had to burn through their reserves due to the costly impacts of the landlord fairness code initiative.

Tacoma cannot afford to slow down and toddle on fix fixing this policy.

Access to housing is at stake.

That is why council is taking action now.

The changes we're can we're considering tonight are focused, targeted actions backed up by data.

As I met with stakeholders over the course of the year, I heard many, many more concerns and areas of interest that are worthy of further study.

This ordinant directs these additional items be reviewed next year at the community vitality and safety committee.

As chair, I am committed to driving that work forward.

My ultimate goal is to review the rental housing code and the landlord fairness code initiative in tandem and figure out how we can bur bundle these two items into one code.

Throughout this pro process, I met individually with tenants.

I heard the testimony from our last community for and I've read testimonials online.

The top concerns I hear, things like failing to do proper notices for rent increases, health and safety issues like mold and leaks, illegal rental agreements, and discrimination are not things we're talking about today.

These issues are addressed in our rental housing code passed by the city council and through the state law.

I urge every resident of Tacoma facing this conditions to reach out either to me directly or to our landlord tenant staff by visiting Tacoma.gov backslash renting in Tacoma.

I'd like to thank the entire council for their full commitment to this conversation this year, especially the community vitality and safety committee members who have been so vital in shaping the policy in front of us today.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Councilmember Ramba, and thank you for all of your work on this.

Um with that, Clerk, will you please call the rolls?

Councilmember Sidalgay?

Aye.

Councilmember Scott.

Nay.

Councilmember Walker.

Aye.

Councilmember Bushnell.

Aye.

Deputy Mayor Daniels.

Nay.

Councilmember Diaz.

Aye.

Councilmember Heinz.

Aye.

Councilmember Rumba.

Aye.

Mayor Woodards.

Aye.

The ordinance is declared passed.

Moving on to first reading of ordinances.

Item 18.

Clerk, will you please read?

Ordinance.

Actually, you know what?

Before you read that, we're going to take a 15 minutes.

Um we're going to take a 15-minute break so that people can leave the chambers and we'll come back in 15 minutes.

Okay, I would like to call the City Council meeting back to order.

Moving on to first reading of ordinances.

Clark, we item eighteen.

Clark, we please read.

Ordinance two nine zero eight seven, an ordinance amending chapter six eight point seventy related to local option taxes by adding new sections and imposing a local one-tenth of one percent sales and use tax to fund investments in criminal justice effective April first, twenty twenty-six.

House Bill Twenty Fifteen, which was passed by the state legislature this past session, created two programs.

Programming of these funds will be part of the 27-28 budget process.

And with that, I am happy to answer any questions you might have.

Okay.

Uh Councilmember Sidalge.

Uh thank you, Deputy Mayor.

Um, I'm just gonna repeat some of the comments I had in study session uh for posterity's sake, I suppose.

Um, you know, at a time when costs are going up for everyone, as was told in public comments and told to me at in my community.

Taxing people on a sales tax is one of the most regressive things we can do.

Um, and I like to colloquially say, I mean, the way Washington works is we tax poor people to appear ostensibly help poor people, which is counterintuitive.

But I do understand that on the other side, we are as a city limited by design and by state statutes and others uh considerations in where we can find sustained revenues for important court services such as public safety, especially in a world in which we have um grown and found um um programs such as alternative response, which is um something we need.

Um so having said that, I will say that I am going to give a very long and thoughtful consideration because this is something that affects everyone in every receipt in every transaction.

Every time they look down and they see another tenth of one percent, they see the cost.

Um I I sincerely wish the state had given us a more progressive solution to find this essential um source of revenue.

Um so it gives me a lot of heartburn, and I will be uh thinking about it, but not while I'm on vacation between Christmas and New Year's.

Thank you for your comments tonight, Councilmember Sadalgay.

Um, if there are no other comments from oh, Councilmember Rumba.

Um, thank you, Deputy Mayor, and I just want to say I support this, and I'm concerned that the outcomes address domestic violence, which I know that they can in our city and what it means to support the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center court appointed advocate and Tacoma Police Department um being present at Crystal Judson Family Justice Center.

Those are two things I'd like to see as part of this.

We aren't tonight deciding what's what's gonna be funded.

All we're deciding is the opportunity to do a council matic um one-tenth for this.

And but I also want people to understand that we are going to be working on what it will pay for, and I believe strongly, while we have a budget deficit, there are things that are really necessary for us to address.

And I just really want to let people know that those are the things I would like to focus on.

Thank you.

Okay, uh, Councilmember Heinz.

Uh thank you, Madam Deputy Mayor, and thank you, Annie, for the presentation.

I think it's this earlier today, too.

Uh, you know, I'm eager for the further conversation where we go from here.

Um, you know, as we noticed uh throughout my time on council, um, the costs of providing public safety services, whether it's police, fire, or the alternative response models we have in our city are continuing to grow in costs, right?

And we already see the increasing need that is required for this, and we already have close to 70 percent of our budget, general fund budget going to pay for police fire and public safety.

Um, so while I agree with Council Mr.

Sadalgay, I am not um we already ask a lot from our residents, and I think a lot about when we choose to impose taxes upon them.

I do also recognize that when I talk to residents, the number one thing I hear again and again is public safety and public safety response.

And so if there is a choice here, I think this makes a lot of sense.

Um, I know there was a lot of work done at the state level to allow us to authorize to authorize us to be able to collect this.

Um, and I look forward to the conversation with my colleagues as we move forward if this is adopted in January as we move into the budget cycle for 26-27 about how we best allocate this to meet the needs that we're hearing so clearly from the community.

Thank you.

Okay, if there are no other comments from my colleagues, um, we will move on to the next ordinance.

Thank you so much, Andy.

Okay.

Um that ordinance will be set over for final reading on January 6, 2026.

Item 19, Clerk, will you please read?

Ordinance 29088 and ordinance amending chapter 12.09 by amending various sections to allow for the collection and safe disposal of hazardous materials from specific commercial customers and residents effective January 1st, 2026.

All right, I would like to call on Shane Pettit.

Thank you, Deputy Mayor and members of the council.

My name is Shane Pettit, and I'm an assistant division manager with the environmental services department focused on supporting the operations and maintenance of our Tacoma Recovery and Transfer Center.

I'm here before you tonight to discuss this ordinance, which would allow the environmental services department to receive and charge for hazardous materials from selected commercial customers as part of a pilot.

Small quantity generators or SQGs are businesses that produce small amounts of hazardous material at less than 220 pounds per month.

SQGs can uh not use our facility.

The household hazardous waste facility can only be utilized by residents per the code, and SQGs do not have adequate alternatives to environmentally dispose of hazardous materials from their businesses in a financially viable manner.

Currently, the only option available to SQGs is to contract directly with a vendor, which is cost prohibitive unless they are producing larger quantities of hazardous material, creating economies of scale.

The service gap can have impacts since hazardous materials, if not properly stored and not properly disposed of, can have impacts to both the health and safety of our community.

The city is working to address this service gap and environmental need with a pilot program focused on providing hazardous waste services to SQGs.

This SQG pilot program was included as part of the 2025-26 biannual budget.

We've been working on building the foundation to safely receive hazardous materials.

And before you to you not before you tonight, you have the code revision that would allow us to have a pilot to receive materials from SQGs and charge for them.

These code revisions were presented to the government performance and finance committee on November 4th, and the committee approved bringing this amendment before the full council.

If these code revisions are approved, we will then implement the first phase of our pilot working with SQGs from various types in various areas of the city to further develop them develop the program and then begin charging SQGs in the second quarter of 2026.

I will also note that there are some materials not currently accepted from residents at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility due to challenging regulatory requirements and cost prohibition.

Some of the main examples include marine flares and ammunition.

This amendment also includes language that grants the environmental services department the ability to receive and charge for these problematic materials from residents.

And we will look at these material types in subsequent phases of the pilot.

Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you so much, um Shane.

Just uh a quick question before I pass it to my colleagues.

I just want to understand what I think you said tonight.

Um so right now uh the city of Tacoma does regulate that we have to do certain things with hazardous materials, but we actually don't take them in, and this is a um a code change that would allow us to collect them as we do other things for some kind of small fee or some kind of fee.

That's correct, Deputy Mayor.

We currently receive materials from residents.

Residents can come to our household hazardous waste facility and drop off hazardous materials, but per the code and per our operating permit, and we're working on the changes to both.

We can't receive hazardous materials from commercial businesses.

So this change would allow us as part of a pilot to develop a commercial hazardous program for small quantity generators.

Got it, understood.

All right.

Um, we've got a lot of interest in this one.

Uh Councilmember Walker.

Thank you.

Um, and I don't serve on GPFC, so I see I think I have a little homework to do, but thank you, um GPFC, for working through this.

Um I know you said this at the beginning, but can you remind me what SQG stands for?

Uh of course, Councilmember, it's a small quantity generator.

Thank you.

All right.

Um, and can you and either you or um council member Heinz remind me when it came to GPFC, just so I can pull up the presentation.

Um November 4th.

Yes, the first meeting of November.

Okay.

Thank you.

Um, it sounds like a good thing.

I just want to make sure I do my homework.

Thanks uh for being here tonight.

Councilmember Heinz.

Oh, thank you, Deputy Mayor, and thank you, Shane, for the presentation.

It was great for the conversation at um government performance finance.

Um, I do think this is a really important um step in our in our process.

Um, currently kind of a donut hole where larger operators are able to pay for and get and get the materials taken care of, and homeowners have that opportunity, but our small operators don't.

And you know, as we think about thing about trying to keep things out of our um stormwater system or out of the you know off the ground or and safely disposed of.

I think this is a really uh interesting pilot project to think about how we can scale up and do this.

So very excited for the presentation, GPFC and excited for this to move forward.

Thank you.

Okay, Councilmember Rumba.

Thank you, Deputy Mayor.

And I was at um GPFC, and so I did hear this, and um I'm really excited that we're doing this.

This is um obviously.

I just I wanted to remind you what my question was.

Um, I think I asked if auto repair would be part of this.

And um, could you just remind people what I mean?

Like I was worried about those types of uses.

They're smaller sometimes and they're in commercial areas.

Yeah, we're gonna be looking at all different types of businesses that meet the definition of a small quantity generator and looking at oil as well.

And it depends on the business and the amounts that they produce, but if they qualify, we'll be looking at again all business types.

And is this gonna be optional or are we going to try to like that was one of my um issues is that I I would like to see this something that's required that people are using our if they're not contracting with someone that they're using the city for our services?

Yes, uh council member.

The in coordination with the county and the health department, we do uh lots of educational efforts for customers regarding the requirements for a hazardous waste and wanting them to utilize uh an appropriate vendor, and part of this provision or this effort is to meet that service gap need that would exist for the small quantity generators.

It is largely an educational effort at this time.

Um not a proactive enforcement mechanism.

Okay, that's sort of my question.

So thank you very much.

Okay, if there are no other questions from our colleagues, um this ordinance will be set over for final reading next week.

Thank you so much, Shane.

Thank you.

Okay.

Uh item 20.

Clerk, will you please read?

Ordinance 29089 and ordinance amending Title One by adding a new chapter entitled Business Safety and Resiliency Program to provide policy direction for program development and allocation of business license revenues to fund this program.

Okay, this is me.

Um I am going to um I talked to you all about this um at study session last week, but I'm gonna save my comments um on this for the sake of time tonight, um, and I will make them next week.

Um if you have any questions, I am willing to take them though.

Okay, the ordinance will be set over for final reading next week.

All right.

Um is there any unfinished business?

Seeing none, we will move on to community forum okay.

Hello.

Hey community forum.

Um, as reminder, community forums are intended to give speakers the opportunity to share their viewpoints and feedback of the city council to aid in our decision making, and it's not meant to be a back and forth dialogue.

Your remarks should have should be directed towards city council and not at individual staff members.

At this time, I would like to ask attendees if you want to speak under the community forum.

Please press the raise your hand button near the bottom of your Zoom window or star nine on your phone so we can see the number of people wishing to testify this evening.

If you are speaking in person, please sign up at the back of the room if you've not done so already.

Your name or the last four digits of your phone number will be called out when it is your turn to speak.

Clerk, will you please read?

The purpose of community form is to assist the council in making policy decisions.

Items of discussion will be limited to matters over which the council has jurisdiction.

Arguments shall not be made in support of or opposition to any matter on this week's agenda, and each person may address the council only one time during this forum.

Okay, community forum will be limited limited to a total of 60 minutes, and each speaker will have 90 seconds to make your remarks.

Please be mindful of the time frame.

As always, you are not required to use all of your time to make your point.

If you cannot remain on topic, you will be given two warnings.

If you remain off topic, we will have to move on and we'll end your time.

Clerk, have we received any written comment for community forum?

We've we've received six emails, two regarding organic land lawn care, three regarding homeless encampments, and one regarding genocide of indigenous people.

Okay.

Hello and thank you.

Homeless encampment sweeps don't just inflict trauma and instability on the people being displaced.

They also create a heavy unnecessary burden on the nonprofits and volunteer groups trying to keep them alive.

Every sweep destroys tents, blankets, clothing, and survival burea that donors and community members have already paid for, forcing outreach teams to repeatedly replace the same basic items instead of helping people move towards stability.

This constant cycle drains limited budgets, burns out volunteers, and diverts resources away from long-term solutions like housing navigation, medical support, and case management.

In the end, sweeps make the crisis more expensive, more chaotic, and far harder for both unhoused people and the organizations dedicated to assisting them.

Please stop the sweeps.

Okay, thank you for your comments tonight, April.

Teresa Evans.

Hello, thank you, Deputy Mayor.

I just wanted to talk and say thank you for um doing things for our community in this special way in the city council for the mayor and the council members.

And um the early welcome to the people who are coming or returning, and um that's all I wanted to say.

Have a good evening.

Thank you, Teresa.

All right, moving on to those in the room.

Uh we'll start with Michelle Reich.

Michelle will be followed by Kathy, but it looks like she might be gone.

Michelle Reich.

You all received my letter recently.

This city council outgoing with exception, Councilmember Sagi.

Like the moral fortitude and courage to pass a Native American genocide resolution.

Uh in the evidence I provided your land inauguration acknowledgement is hollow.

Uh, because of that.

Also, too, you evolve uh the concept of anti-racism in your city policies.

Well, for your information, the term racism was coined by coined by General Richard Pratt, a civil war general.

He's also the one that created the Indian boarding schools in the United States up to 1965.

And also, he's the one that said kill the Indian, save the man.

One of his uh captains, uh grabbed uh 11 pupp maybe American children, took them to Forest Grove boarding school in Oregon, and the captain before he got to the boarding school in Oregon, he uh massacred a tribe of Indians along the Columbia River.

Uh, and you got a promotion to the boarding school.

So uh uh not addressing the issue to leave the issue stance.

Thank you.

Thank you, Michelle.

Um, Kit Burns.

The architect from Hilltop.

Good evening, Mayor and Deputy Mayor and Council.

Did you say I have 60 minutes?

Just checking on that.

Because I can use all that.

Um at the description of the mayor.

Um, I what I want to bring up is the item of affordability.

And I've brought this up before with various people.

Uh I know the city council at one time said oh affordable housing is 80 percent.

It's not that.

And now that city council says no, it's 70 percent.

And it's really not that, too.

And I've done the math, I've looked at some of these things.

And I'll give you an example.

I give you a whole bunch of examples, but let me stick to the stadium way project.

Stadium way project cost 41, or sorry, 42 million dollars.

But based on what the city council has done, the city council has given Stadium Way apartments 12 million dollars in tax credits.

That project, just picking a average number is expected to pull in 80 million dollars.

So why do they get a 12 million dollar tax cut?

So, what I would like to know is what you use to figure out what's fair and reasonable.

And the point I would make, especially on the stadium project is this.

The city says we'll give you 12 million dollars.

What will you give us?

And the project says we'll give you three million.

So they pocket nine million dollars.

Why?

So I'd like to know what that number is, and also I'd like to see you as the city council change it to 60 percent.

I've got more numbers, but uh I guess gosh, an hour goes by fast.

Thank you.

Thanks, Kit.

Um, okay, seeing no other comment, seeing no other hands or comments, um, I will declare public comment period closed.

Moving on to report.

Sorry.

Uh moving on to reports by the city manager.

None.

Okay.

Uh moving on to comments and committee reports from the city council.

Uh I would like to call on Councilmember Rumbaugh, chair of the community of Italian Safety Committee.

Thank you, Deputy Mayor.

Um, this is a CVS report out from December 9th or for tonight.

Um the CVS committee last met on November 6th to discuss proposed changes to the landlord fairness code.

The committee discussed items related to the landlord fairness code, initiative related to a definition of undue and significant economic hardships, small landlords, damage to units, standard and accountability, standards and accountability for selling and occupying a unit and school year eviction moratoriums.

The committee opted to forward the discussion to the full city council.

Council took action on this item earlier in this evening meeting.

Our final meeting of the year will occur on December 11th, which is this Thursday at 4 30, and we will interview candidates to serve on the committee community police advisory committee.

That meeting will occur in room 243 of the Tacoma Municipal Building.

Virtual attendance options will be available for the public.

Um thank you very much, Deputy Mayor.

Thank you.

Okay.

Um are there any final council comments?

Okay.

Um I will take the uh final motion.

I move to adjourn.

Second.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All those opposed signify by saying nay.

Motion is declared adopted.

You stand adjourned.