Tacoma City Council Meeting: December 16, 2025

This historic meeting marked the final council session for Mayor Victoria R. Woodards (concluding 8 years as Mayor, 15 years total on Council) and Deputy Mayor Kiara Daniels (concluding 4 years of service). The evening featured celebratory ceremonies for honorary leaders, the adoption of strategic city frameworks, and a unanimous passage of honors for community legacy, followed by emotional tributes from colleagues and the public.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 41819 & 41820: Adopted unanimously as part of the consolidated consent agenda.
• Substitute Resolution 41825: A motion to replace the draft legislation with the final version of the "Tacoma Quality Jobs Framework" was unanimously adopted prior to the formal discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Animal Welfare & Homelessness:
  • Michelle Reich: Expressed full support for the Humane Society's work and emphasized the responsibility for unowned community cats.
  • Rob Huff: Expressed support for Resolution 41822 only if contingent on the revision of the city's homelessness action strategy, citing the inadequacy of the 2022 strategy.
  • Verna Lilly: Expressed support for updating the Tacoma 2035 plan to include specific, measurable goals and an adaptive implementation plan for homelessness.
  • Teresa Power Drudis: Expressed support for updating the homelessness plan to remove language regarding "refusal of services" and requested transparency on the efficacy of camping bans.
  • Linda Redman: Shared success stories from Minnesota regarding church-led tiny home initiatives for chronic homelessness.
• Economic Development:
  • Bill Dickens: Expressed full support for the 2026-2030 economic development plan, citing it as short, simple, and savvy.
  • Kristen Ang (Port of Tacoma Commissioner): Expressed support for Resolution 41823, lauding the leadership of Mayor Woodards and Deputy Mayor Daniels in championing inclusive growth.
  • Chairman Bill Starrud (Puyallup Tribe): Expressed gratitude for the Mayor's relationship-building with the Tribe and her advocacy for the Piapot people.
• Resolution 41824 (Curtis E. Montgomery Renaming):
  • Antoinette Griffin, Sharon Monty Parr, John Montgomery, Stephen Montgomery, Janice Clark, Sharice Martin, Oliver Webb, Linda Redman, and Pastor Prentice Johnson: All speakers expressed full support for the honorary renaming of South G Street between 19th and 21st Streets to Bishop Curtis E. Montgomery Street. They articulated deep personal and historical gratitude, citing Bishop Montgomery's 50-year legacy of service, humility, anti-riot leadership during the 1960s, and his impact on the Hilltop community across generations. Speakers described him as a man who "served without needing recognition" and a "pillar of the Hilltop community."
• Tributes to Departing Officials:
  • Launa Pritchard (Asia Pacific Community): Expressed profound appreciation for Mayor Woodards as a human being and leader.
  • Kristen Crest: Expressed deep gratitude for Mayor Woodards' advocacy for immigrant communities and the "Year of Belonging."
  • Phyllis McElroy (Tacoma Urban League): Expressed appreciation for the leadership and support of Mayor Woodards and Deputy Mayor Daniels.
  • Aaron Gwinep: Expressed deep gratitude for the compassion and practical wisdom shown by both officials.

Discussion Items

• Ceremonial Honors:
  • Honorary Pet Mayor Nacho: Council adopted a proclamation declaring December 16, 2025, as "Honorary Pet Nacho Day." Nacho, a rescued cat, was sworn in to serve as Mayor for the day. The event raised over $14,000 for the Humane Society's spay/neuter programs. Councilmember Hines supported the initiative as a way to highlight low-cost veterinary care and inject humor into city governance.
  • Public Works Director Retirement: Council adopted a resolution honoring Jeffrey A. Jenkins for over 17 years of service. He retired after leading the Public Works Department with a $250 million budget and 310 employees. Councilmember Rumba and Councilmember Walker expressed full support for his leadership on the "Tacoma Streets Initiative" and his personal engagement with the Northeast Tacoma neighborhood.
• Tacoma 2035 Strategic Framework (Resolution 41822):
  • Director Jacques Cologne presented the 10-year strategic framework designed to align over 40 city plans. Councilmembers Walker, Bushnell, and Hines expressed full support for the "umbrella" visualization tool and flexibility of the plan. Councilmember Diaz jokingly requested a font change from Comic Sans. Mayor Woodards supported the adoption but suggested a separate resolution post-1-year to direct a specific update to the homeless action strategy, rather than embedding it in 2035.
• Economic Development Plan (Resolution 41823):
  • The 2026-2030 Community and Economic Development Strategic Plan was presented by Debbie Bingham. Deputy Mayor Daniels (prior to her role change) and Councilmembers Heinz, Walker, and Bushnell expressed full support for the equity-centered plan, specifically highlighting its focus on small businesses, green/blue/creative economies, and workforce development. Mayor Woodards emphasized the plan's role in shifting economic development from a programmatic approach to a systems-level convener.
• Street Renaming (Resolution 41824):
  • Chief Policy Analyst Bakota Warren presented the proposal to honor Bishop Curtis E. Montgomery. The Mayor and Councilmembers unanimously supported the resolution, viewing it as a fitting bookend to the first new street naming (Harold G. Moss Bridge) undertaken during the new policy framework.
• Quality Jobs Framework (Resolution 41825):
  • The substitute resolution establishing the Tacoma Quality Jobs Framework was adopted. The Mayor noted this was a result of the "Good Jobs Great Cities" initiative. The framework defines quality jobs as those providing stability, dignity, and opportunity, directing the City Manager to use the draft as a guide for future implementation.
• Charter Review (Resolution 41826):
  • A resolution directing the City Manager to facilitate a conversation on the 2034 charter review at least two years in advance was adopted.
• Ordinances:
  • Ordinance 29088: Passed unanimously to allow collection of safe disposal for hazardous materials from commercial customers and residents starting January 1, 2026.
  • Ordinance 29089: Passed unanimously to establish the "Business Safety and Resiliency Program" and allocate 1.5% of business license fees in 2027 (rising to 3% in 2028) to fund business support.

Key Outcomes

• Adoption of Resolutions:
  • 41819 & 41820: Adopted.
  • 41821: Adopted unanimously to appoint Pastor Ron L. C. Jones to the Tacoma Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
  • 41822: Adopted unanimously creating the Tacoma 2035 strategic framework.
  • 41823: Adopted unanimously adopting the 2026-2030 Community and Economic Development Strategic Plan.
  • 41824: Adopted unanimously conferring the honorary street name "Curtis E. Montgomery Street" on South G Street between 19th and 21st Streets.
  • 41825: Adopted unanimously establishing the Tacoma Quality Jobs Framework.
  • 41826: Adopted unanimously directing the 2034 charter review process.
• Adoption of Ordinances:
  • Ordinance 29088: Passed 9-0 (All Councilmembers present voted Aye).
  • Ordinance 29089: Passed 9-0 (All Councilmembers present voted Aye).
• Tributes: Formal proclamations were read and presented to Deputy Mayor Kiara Daniels and Mayor Victoria R. Woodards, honoring their 4-year and 15-year tenures respectively. Councilmembers unanimously expressed praise, gratitude, and regret at their departures.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:15 PM following the final motion by Deputy Mayor Daniels.