Tacoma City Council meeting summary for January 13, 2026
Tacoma City Council Meeting Summary - January 13, 2026
The City Council convened despite a late agenda modification to add a new resolution on immigrant resources and remove an ordinance under discussion regarding system development charges. The meeting was dominated by extensive public comments and council deliberations regarding federal immigration enforcement, the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC), and the recent killing of observer Renee Good in Minneapolis. The Council adopted a formal statement condemning the killing, passed a resolution to create a resource web page for immigrants (Resolution 41844), and made appointments to the Board of Ethics.
Consent Calendar
- Adopted the consent agenda, including Resolution 41842 (ceremonial proclamations).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Protest and Condemnation of ICE Operations: Multiple speakers, including representatives from the Pierce County Immigration Alliance, Malaya Movement Tacoma, and individual residents, expressed strong opposition to ICE activities. Speakers voiced concern over racial profiling, unannounced abductions without judicial warrants, and the lack of officer identification during raids. Positions included demands for the immediate cessation of ICE operations within city limits.
- Criticism of the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC): Speakers condemned the NWDC, operated by Geo Group, citing alleged human rights abuses, medical neglect (specifically referencing the case of "Kuya G"), and the center's refusal of inspections. Several speakers characterized the facility's existence as a "stain on the pride of Tacoma" and a source of community trauma.
- Concerns for Community Safety: Residents expressed deep fear for the safety of day laborers, families, and children, reporting that individuals were being taken from workplaces and homes. Some speakers demanded that the City Council condemn these actions as unlawful and provide clear policies on employee collaboration with ICE.
- Critique of Council Response: Some public speakers expressed frustration that a $25,000 allocation for legal assistance and the creation of informational signage were insufficient. One speaker stated that accepting money from the lease of the detention center constitutes "blood money" and urged the Council to reject the facility's funding entirely.
- Support for Community Defense: A speaker suggested that citizens arm themselves and learn self-defense as a means to deter ICE agents, while another called for community solidarity and resistance against what was described as "fascist" attacks.
Discussion Items
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Proclamation: The Council accepted a proclamation for the MLK Jr. Unity Breakfast and celebration, hosted by the University of Washington Tacoma Black Student Union and the City's Events and Recognitions Committee. Attendees honored King's legacy and discussed upcoming community service events.
- Student Needs Presentation: The Associated Students of the University of Washington Tacoma (ASUWT) presented data on student challenges, reporting that 42% of students face unstable housing, nearly 50% pay over one-third of their income to rent, and over 64% are affected by transportation costs. The group advocated for increased collaboration between the city, the university, and the student body to address food insecurity, housing affordability, and transportation access.
- Interim City Manager Update: Interim City Manager Xun Kim provided an update on staff actions regarding federal immigration enforcement. He confirmed the city's participation in the Newsom v. Trump lawsuit against the deployment of federal forces. He detailed ongoing efforts to identify over 600 city parcels for potential signage prohibiting federal immigration enforcement usage and stated that staffing resources adhere to the "Keep Washington Working" Act (Resolution 41627).
- Condemnation of Renee Good's Killing: Councilmembers Sidalgay, Diaz, and Palmer spoke in support of a statement condemning the shooting of Renee Good, a legal observer, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The speakers expressed solidarity with the community, acknowledged the fear pervading immigrant neighborhoods, and emphasized the need for the city to act within its legal authority to protect residents.
- Resource Creation (Resolution 41844): Councilmembers Sidalgay, Diaz, and Palmer discussed the drafting of a resolution to direct the City Manager to create a website and outreach materials providing resources for immigrants, highlighting existing city legislation and efforts to restrict for-profit detention centers.
- Board of Ethics Appointments: The Council discussed and approved the appointment of Terry Phillips and Nelson Raskin to the Board of Ethics, following recommendations from the Government Performance and Finance Committee.
Key Outcomes
- Statement Adopted: The Council unanimously approved a statement condemning the killing of Renee Good, expressing condolences, and affirming the city's commitment to protecting due process rights and resisting federal overreach that undermines community safety.
- Resolution 41844 Passed: The Council adopted Resolution 41844, directing the City Manager to create a web page and outreach materials sharing resources for immigrants, community members, and businesses, and to include background on city legislation.
- Resolution 41843 Passed: The Council adopted Resolution 41843, officially appointing Terry Phillips and Nelson Raskin to the Board of Ethics.
- Vote Tally: The roll call vote on Resolution 41844 was unanimous (Aye: Bushnell, Diaz, Hines, Palmer, Rumba, Sidalgay, Scott, Walker, Ibsen).
- Legislative Direction: Councilmember Diaz clarified that the City of Tacoma has no contract with Geo Group (the operator of the NWDC) and that the contract between Geo Group and DHS expired tentatively in September 2025. The Council directed staff to investigate further legal options and publicize state legislative opportunities for public engagement.
- Schedule Adjustment: The January 20, 2026, City Council Study Session and Business Meeting were canceled due to the MLK Jr. Day holiday.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of January 13th, 2026. Clerk, we please call the roll. Deputy Mayor Bushnell. Present. Councilmember Diaz. Here. Councilmember Hines. Councilmember Palmer. Councilmember Rumba. Here. Councilmember Sidalgay. Here. Councilmember Scott. Here. Councilmember Walker. Here. Mayor Ibsen. Here. Please join me in listening to the land acknowledgement and flag salute led by Councilmember Walker, followed by a moment of silence in honor of George Russell. Tonight we dedicate our moment of silence to George F. Russell Jr., who helped shape a small family-run investment business in Tacoma into a global force managing hundreds of billions in assets now known as Russell Investments. George was a leader shaped by this community and deeply committed to it. He believed that success, whether in business or in public life, carried with it a responsibility to care for people and places. His contributions to Tacoma and the many lives he touched will continue to be felt, even as we pause now to honor his memory. Councilmember Walker. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Puellet people where they make their home and speak the Lachut seed language. Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence. One nation under God. We have modifications to the agenda tonight to remove ordinance two nine zero nine one from the agenda this evening and to add an additional resolution, resolution number four one eight four four to tonight's agenda as item 8A on the regular agenda. We have a motion before us for consideration. I move to remove ordinance number 29091 from the agenda this evening. Move and second, are there any council comments? Hearing none, I'll there are Councilman Sodake. Yes. Uh I just wanted just for sake of transparency, um, ordinance number two nine oh nine one was first uh was had the first reading last week. We had a number of questions uh around system development charges. We are in discussions uh about that, um, and that is why we're asking for just uh I was asking for a little extra time before we do the final reading. Thank you, Councilmember. Seeing no further comments, all those in favor of removing ordinance number two nine oh nine one from the agenda this evening, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, say nay. The motion is declared adopted. We have a motion before us for consideration. I move to suspend Rule 4A of the Rules of Procedure of the Council of the City of Tacoma to add an additional resolution. Resolution number 41844 relating to resources for immigrants, community members, and businesses to tonight's agenda as item 8a on the regular agenda. Are there any council comments? See none, all those in favor of adding resolution number 41844 to tonight's agenda, please signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, signify by saying nay. Resolution is adopted.
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