City Council Meeting Summary: December 9, 2025

The Tacoma City Council convened on December 9, 2025, to honor the legacy of Dr. Bernell C. Baca and conduct a comprehensive agenda including the appointment of a new Human Resources Director, several resolutions regarding public safety and international relations, and a highly contested vote on amendments to the Landlord Fairness Code (Ordinance 29086). The meeting featured extensive public testimony divided between those advocating for the protection of tenant rights and those seeking exemptions for landlords and affordable housing providers due to financial strains. The council also discussed and voted on transportation impact fees and ordinances related to traffic cameras and hazardous materials.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted the consent agenda, including Resolutions 41810 and 41811.

Public Comments & Testimony

Tenant Rights Advocates & Community Members:

• Spokespeople for Tacoma for All, Indivisible Tacoma, and Common Good Tacoma (including Shalom Abterap, Francis Fay Oak, Tyrone Moore, Zev Cook, and others): Expressing strong opposition to rolling back voter-approved tenant protections. Speakers argued that the proposed amendments disproportionately harm communities of color, increase homelessness, and prioritize landlord profitability over human dignity. Several speakers demanded a moratorium on the vote until the new council convenes in 2026, citing the rushed nature of the process.
• John Kennedy (Eviction Attorney): Positioning against the exemption of the Housing Authority from the Landlord Fairness Code, arguing that exempting them would endanger vulnerable populations, including those with cognitive disabilities.
• **Devin Ridel Kelly & Tai: Emphasizing that the current struggle is a class conflict where tenants must continue to fight for their rights if the council votes to weaken protections.
• Jesse Cowart: Stating that the council is acting hypocritically by working against the will of the people and lining the pockets of wealthy landlords rather than helping the vulnerable.
• Amanda DeShazo (Affordable Housing Consortium): Representing non-profits, expressing that while they face financial deficits, they support the substitute ordinance specifically to secure exemptions for deed-restricted affordable housing.
• Jason Berg (Local Landlord): Acknowledging tenant rights but calling for nuance to distinguish between single homeowners trying to survive financially and massive corporate landlords.
• Natalie Smith (Tacoma Pierce County Chamber): Supporting the proposed updates to the Landlord Fairness Code, stating that without changes, the community risks losing existing rental properties and seeing reductions in construction investments.
• Mark Milsness (Spinnaker Property Management): Asserting that eviction moratoriums create decades of debt and are pushing landlords out of business, urging the council not to make Tacoma a "city of destitute."
• Sam Spiegelman (Attorney): Stating that the proposed amendments would not cure the legal and constitutional defects of the existing Landlord Fairness Code, specifically regarding the takings clause and relocation assistance.
• April Black (Tacoma Housing Authority): Supporting the changes to the Landlord Fairness Code to address challenges caused by admission moratoriums and high debts.
• Corey Jolseth (Rental Housing Association of Washington): Supporting the amendments, noting that a significant portion of members sell or consider selling properties due to regulatory costs and the current ordinance's impact.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of HR Director: Interim City Manager Hyung Kim announced Linnea Jablonski as the new Human Resources Director, effective February 9, 2026. Jablonski, transitioning from Fairfax County, VA, was praised for her expertise in employer relations and labor matters. The council unanimously confirmed her appointment.
• Ordinance 29086 (Landlord Fairness Code Amendments): Councilmember Diaz proposed a substitute ordinance removing means-testing requirements for eviction moratoriums and expanding rent increase notification protocols. Councilmember Scott proposed a three-year sunset clause for the amendments, which was defeated.
  • Supporters: Councilmembers Diaz, Heinz, Rumba, Sidalgay, and Bushnell (with reservations on specific provisions) argued that the current code causes dire financial consequences for affordable housing providers and small landlords, threatening housing stability.
  • Opponents: Deputy Mayor Daniels and Councilmembers Scott expressed concern that the council has not had sufficient time to study the data and that the amendments conflict with voter intent and could negatively impact housing supply. Councilmembers expressed concerns about the economic incentives created by rent caps and the lack of holistic data.
• Transportation Impact Fees (Ordinance 29082): The council debated the newly established transportation impact fees. Councilmember Sidalgay and Deputy Mayor Daniels voted nay, citing potential legal liability, lack of robust data on cumulative costs, and the risk of further reducing housing affordability. Councilmembers Heinz, Bushnell, Rumba, and Walker supported the ordinance, emphasizing the need for infrastructure funding and the principle that growth should pay for growth.
• Resolution 41815 & 41816: The council approved resolutions designating Kochi, India, as a Friendship City and Split, Croatia, as a Sister City, replacing the former Havar, Croatia relationship. Public testimony from the Sister Cities Committee supported these designations as opportunities for cultural and educational exchange.
• Resolution 41817: Adopted to direct the City Manager to clarify policies governing the use of city-owned property for federal civil immigration enforcement operations, ensuring city resources serve local community needs first.
• Resolution 41812 & 41813: Adopted resolutions awarding a contract to Axon for body-worn cameras and approving a joint use agreement with the Museum of Glass for structural changes to a city-owned park parking garage.
• Resolution 41814: Adopted to support the Tacoma School District's Propositions 1 and 2 for K-12 educational programs and technology improvements.
• Resolution 41818: Adopted to authorize $10,000 in contingency funds for the "Go Great Go Football" program to support youth leadership and sports.
• Ordinance 29083 (Traffic Cameras): Adopted amendments to align automated traffic camera systems with state law, supported by Councilmembers Sidalgay and Rumba for enhancing traffic safety and changing driver behavior.
• Ordinance 29087 (Local Option Tax): Set over for final reading to allow for further consideration of the proposed 0.1% sales tax to fund criminal justice initiatives.

Key Outcomes

• Confirmed Appointment: Linnea Jablonski appointed as Human Resources Director.
• Ordinance 29086 (Amended): Passed with the following vote tally (9 Aye, 2 Nay): Sidalgay, Walker, Bushnell, Diaz, Heinz, Rumba, Woodards, Daniels (Nay), Scott (Nay). The ordinance includes amendments removing means-testing for the cold-weather eviction moratorium, modifying relocation assistance calculations based on rent increase percentages, and adding notification requirements.
• Ordinance 29082 (Transportation Impact Fees): Passed with a vote tally of 6 Aye, 3 Nay: Bushnell, Walker, Diaz, Heinz, Rumba, Woodards (Aye); Sidalgay, Daniels, Scott (Nay).
• Resolutions: Resolutions 41812, 41813, 41814, 41815, 41816, 41817, and 41818 were all declared adopted.
• Ordinances Set Over: Ordinances 29087 (Sales Tax) and 29089 (Business Safety and Resiliency) were set over for final reading.
• Ordinance 29083 (Traffic Cameras): Passed unanimously.
• Ordinance 29088 (Hazardous Materials): Set over for final reading.
• Sunset Amendment: The proposal by Councilmember Scott to sunset the amendments to Ordinance 29086 in 2029 failed (5 Aye, 6 Nay).
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned following the Community Forum.