Tacoma City Council Meeting - January 27, 2026

The Tacoma City Council meeting on January 27, 2026, opened with a land acknowledgement, flag salute, and a moment of silence for John Douglas Rake, co-founder of the Tacoma Musical Playhouse. The council adopted the consent agenda, proclaimed January 2026 as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, received an update on the city manager recruitment process, approved a multifamily tax exemption for a 12-unit development, and heard extensive public comment and community forum testimony focused primarily on immigration enforcement and the Northwest Detention Center.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously adopted resolutions 41845 and 41846 without discussion or amendment.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Mayor Ibsen proclaimed January 2026 as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month in Tacoma. The proclamation noted that occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for firefighters and that all 50 states recognize cancer as a presumptive occupational illness. Fire Chief Steve Proper and union representatives accepted the proclamation, highlighting that several Tacoma firefighters have died from work-related cancer, including Bo Sheimer (died January 29, 2023), Phil Farrell, Ted Wold, Ray Proper, Kurt Mueller, and others. Councilmember Rumbaugh noted that statistics show one in three firefighters across the country reports line-of-duty cancer.

Discussion Items

• City Manager Recruitment Update (Presented by Cheryl Bidelman, Assistant Director of Human Resources): The City Council selected executive recruiting firm Profman to conduct the search. Community and staff surveys informed desired competencies. Two community interview panels are being formed and will participate on February 26, 2026. Council will hold first interviews the week of February 9, final interviews on February 26, select a preferred candidate by March 3, and confirm on March 17. The new city manager is expected to start in early April–May 2026. During public comment on this topic, Michelle Reich urged keeping the interim city manager, Tyler Daniels stressed the need for a candidate aware of Tacoma’s toxic pollution legacy, Jordan Rash called for a “unicorn” city manager who can handle bureaucracy and housing issues, and Dr. Janice Clark voiced support for the interim city manager.

• Resolution 41847 – Multifamily Housing 8-Year Limited Property Tax Exemption (Presented by Paul Bacher, Community and Economic Development): The resolution authorizes an eight-year tax exemption for 12 market-rate rental units at 634 South Steel Street in the Sixth Avenue Mixed Use Center. The project applied in October 2025, before a November 2025 code amendment requiring eight-year projects under 20 units to be owner-occupied. Therefore the project can proceed under prior rules. Total project cost is $1.9 million, estimated to generate $107,000 in city taxes over the exemption period, with $27,000 exempted, yielding a net positive of $80,000. Councilmember Palmer abstained, expressing concern about a 400-square-foot unit renting for $1,400. Councilmember Hines confirmed no other projects remain in the pipeline under the old rules. The resolution was adopted with one abstention.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On City Manager Recruitment: Three speakers: Michelle Reich (supports retaining interim city manager), Tyler Daniels (candidate must address environmental toxicity), Jordan Rash (wants a leader for housing and bureaucracy), Dr. Janice Clark (strong support for interim city manager). Council then moved to general public comment on agenda items.

• On Firefighter Cancer and MFTE Resolution: Speakers included Kit Burns (questioned MFTE project eligibility and permit timing), Margaret Trace Costrel (honored Bo Sheimer and urged modernization of fire stations, noting South Tacoma stations lack negative pressure hoods), Pat McEllicott (IAFF Local 31 vice president, listed fallen firefighters and noted one in three firefighters nationally report cancer), and Michelle Reich (advocated for best protective gear). Tyler Daniels also spoke about contaminated soil and groundwater from Asarco pollution, referencing the Point Ruston development. One speaker attempted to address Holocaust Remembrance Day but was directed to community forum.

Community Forum

• The community forum lasted 60 minutes and was dominated by opposition to ICE and the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC). Over 25 speakers testified, including members of Pierce County Immigration Alliance, Climate Alliance of the South Sound, Tacoma Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and many individual residents. Key demands included: passing a resolution condemning ICE operations in Tacoma, revoking GEO Group’s business licenses, stopping any expansion of the NWDC (whose contract expires March 27, 2026), providing more resources for immigrants, and increasing city oversight. Speakers cited deaths in custody, wage theft, lack of health inspections, and the non-conforming land use status of the NWDC. Multiple speakers referenced the killing of Alex Predi by ICE in Minnesota. Council member Sidalgay acknowledged community fears and highlighted state legislation (e.g., House Bill 2597) that could give the city more tools. He noted that 29,000 foreign-born residents live in Tacoma and 77,000 in Pierce County outside city limits. Councilmember Rumbaugh urged writing to Senators Murray and Cantwell to defund ICE. A few speakers expressed support for ICE and opposed the resolution, but the majority were critical. Councilmember Palmer thanked attendees for a rally held the previous Saturday. The forum also included brief comments on potholes, traffic safety, and an unmaintained alley.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted consent agenda (resolutions 41845, 41846).
• Proclaimed January 2026 as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.
• Approved Resolution 41847 (multifamily tax exemption for 634 South Steel Street) with one abstention (Councilmember Palmer).
• City manager recruitment process: final interviews set for February 26, selection by March 3, confirmation March 17.
• Council committed to testifying in support of state legislation (e.g., HB 2597) that would expand local authority regarding immigration enforcement.
• Council directed creation of a community resource page for immigrants and is scheduling meetings with immigrant community leaders.
• Council noted the NWDC’s non-conforming land use status and will continue to explore legal avenues to address GEO Group’s activities.
• Community forum closed after 60 minutes; council encouraged continued public engagement via email and future meetings.