OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting – February 10, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, February 10, 2026
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:27:13

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of February 10th, 2026.

0:10

Clerk, will we please call the roll?

0:13

Deputy Mayor Bushnell.

0:15

Present.

0:15

Councilmember Diaz.

0:17

Councilmember Heinz.

0:19

Councilmember Palmer.

0:20

Councilmember Rumba.

0:22

Here.

0:22

Councilmember Sadalgay?

0:23

Here.

0:24

Councilmember Scott.

0:26

Absent Councilmember Walker here.

0:29

Mayor Ibsen?

0:30

Here.

0:31

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

0:37

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

0:43

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence.

1:00

Under God and municipal with liberty and justice problem.

1:17

Are there any modifications to the agenda this evening?

1:22

Seeing none, we will move on to the consent agenda.

1:26

I move to adopt the consent agenda.

1:28

Second.

1:28

Moved and seconded.

1:29

Are there any questions, comments, or corrections?

1:32

All those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye.

1:36

All those opposed signify by saying nay.

1:37

Consent agenda is declared adopted.

1:40

We have one ceremonial tonight for the lunar new year proclamation.

1:51

As I read the proclamation.

1:59

Welcome.

2:01

Whereas uh Lunar New Year is celebrated by millions of people globally and begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, and whereas in 2026, the lunar new year begins on Tuesday, February 17 and marks the beginning of the year of the horse.

2:15

And whereas this milestone is celebrated by diverse cultures in many different ways, but often includes the lighting of fireworks, lanterns, and candles to banish the symbolic darkness of night.

2:25

And whereas Lunar New Year is also celebrated as the spring festival in many cultures, and is Chunji in Chinese communities, Techwindan in Vietnamese communities, and Silal in the Korean communities, and whereas at a time of rising divisions and hatred in the world, Lunar New Year represents an opportunity to come together, share food, light lanterns, and organize cultural programs and create more opportunities for community to gather and celebrate.

2:51

And whereas this year marks the 36th annual Lincoln District Lunar New Year Festival, where the streets are closed for a day of lion dancers, firecrackers, food, and family fun.

3:01

And whereas the Asia Pacific Cultural Center celebrates the Lunar New Year with their largest event, the annual Asia Pacific New Year Celebration, a community-based arts and culture exhibition, which this year features Cambodia.

3:15

Now, therefore, I, Andrews Ibsen, Mayor for the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, to hereby proclaim today Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, as Lunar New Year in the City of Tacoma, and invite our residents to recognize this cherished celebration that contributes to our diverse and thriving communities.

3:33

We join in shared hope for good fortune and prosperity for everyone who lives, works, and plays in the City of Tacoma.

3:40

Please say a few words.

3:42

Honorable Mayor Ibsen, respected members of the Council.

3:46

I am Lua Pritchard, Executive Director of Asia Pacific Cultural Center, and the chair of the Asian Pacific Island Coalition of Pierce County.

3:56

I have here with me our many different leaders of our community of Asian Pacific Islander countries who wanted to be with me here today to accept this proclamation.

4:08

Thank you for this wonderful and important gesture in honor of our Asian Pacific Islander community in City of Tacoma.

4:16

AANHPI make up over 10% of the City of Tacoma population and still growing.

4:24

Many businesses in the City of Tacoma are owned by our AA and HPI people.

4:31

Our people pay taxes.

4:53

Those of us who live in Tacoma are proud residents of Tacoma.

5:00

And we are also very so proud of so many we know who are Asians or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders who work for this city, who make this city good.

5:12

And we also want to count uh call out Deputy Mayor Bushnell, City Council Sadagi, and also our city manager Kim, who's not here today.

5:24

We are very proud of our people.

5:29

Thank you so much for the services you provide for our people as a city every day.

5:35

And thank you for being our partners to help others.

5:39

Thank you for this proclamation today.

5:42

Thank you so much.

5:43

Thank you so much.

5:44

Are there any other uh comments from the members of the city council?

5:47

Thank you.

5:49

Deputy Mayor.

5:50

Uh thank you, Mayor.

5:51

Uh, just want to say thank you all so much for everything you do out in the community.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Immigration Detention Oversight████████████████████████████████32%
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Arts And Culture█████████9%
Economic Development████████8%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Community Engagement█████5%
Human Rights████4%
Personnel Matters██2%
Engineering And Infrastructure█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting – February 10, 2026

The Tacoma City Council met on February 10, 2026, to address a ceremonial proclamation, consent agenda, resolutions on multifamily tax exemptions, and heard extensive public comment and community forum testimony regarding ICE enforcement and the Northwest Detention Center.

Consent Calendar

  • Adopted unanimously without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Michelle Reich spoke about the Lunar New Year and Vietnam War, referencing the 1968 Tet Offensive.
  • Kit Burns questioned the city's use of 70% AMI for affordable housing under the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program, noting that Tacoma Housing Authority uses 60%. He also expressed concern that a project at 4508 South Warner Street was nearly complete but had applied for an exemption.
  • Kathy Irwin (South Tacoma resident) raised safety concerns about the same Warner Street development, stating buildings appeared less than three feet apart and questioning fire safety.
  • David Rose attempted to speak about MFTE program issues but was redirected to community forum as his comments were not specific to agenda items.

Discussion Items

  • Ceremonial Proclamation – Lunar New Year: Mayor Ibsen proclaimed February 17, 2026, as Lunar New Year in Tacoma, marking the 36th annual Lincoln District festival and the Asia Pacific Cultural Center's celebration. Lua Pritchard (APCC Executive Director) accepted, noting AANHPI residents make up over 10% of Tacoma's population. Councilmembers Bushnell and Seldauge expressed support.
  • Resolution 41852 – Reappointment to TCRA Board: Adopted, reappointing Andrew Kwan, Ryan Dutley, Terry Scott, Lacey Barker, and Jermaine Ogden.
  • Resolution 41853 – MFTE for 4508 South Warner Street: Paul Bacher (Community & Economic Development) presented a 12-year property tax exemption for 8 units (2 market rate, 2 regulated rate at 70% AMI). Net positive impact to city: $71,000 over exemption period. Councilmember Hines explained the 70% AMI standard was set in 2021. Councilmember Rumbaugh questioned requirements in the Tacoma Mall Growth Center. Adopted.
  • Resolution 41854 – MFTE for 312 South 28th Street: Presentation for 4 units (3 market rate, 1 regulated rate). Net positive impact: $34,000. Councilmember Diaz abstained citing potential conflict (the developer is a broker at his office). Adopted with one abstention.
  • Ordinance 29092 – Utility Tax Rate Reduction: Danielle Larson (Tax and License Division Manager) presented amendments to lower utility tax from 7.5% to 6% as planned (expiration of 2015 streets initiative). Set over for final reading on February 24, 2026.
  • City Manager Finalists: The council voted to forward Hun Kim and Yolanda Lewis as finalists for city manager interviews.

Community Forum

  • Over a dozen speakers addressed the council, primarily from the Pierce County Immigration Alliance (PCIA) and community members, demanding immediate action against ICE and the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC). Key demands included:
    • Declaring Tacoma a sanctuary city and calling for “ICE out.”
    • Requiring judicial warrants for ICE actions and verification of agent identification.
    • Condemning human rights abuses at NWDC and pursuing its closure.
    • Increasing material support for immigrant communities.
  • Speakers shared personal stories of ICE raids, arrests, and family separation. Multiple references to student walkouts at Silas, Stadium, Lincoln, and Mount Tahoma high schools. Several speakers criticized the council for inaction, referencing the murder of legal observer Renee Good and citing Seattle’s stronger measures.
  • The council briefly recessed after disruptions. No formal action was taken during community forum.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda adopted.
  • Resolutions 41852, 41853, and 41854 adopted (41854 with one abstention).
  • Ordinance 29092 set for second reading on February 24, 2026.
  • Hun Kim and Yolanda Lewis forwarded as city manager finalists.
  • Community forum concluded without council action; council recessed once due to disruption.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of February 10th, 2026. Clerk, will we please call the roll? Deputy Mayor Bushnell. Present. Councilmember Diaz. Councilmember Heinz. Councilmember Palmer. Councilmember Rumba. Here. Councilmember Sadalgay? Here. Councilmember Scott. Absent Councilmember Walker here. Mayor Ibsen? Here. Please join me in listening to the land acknowledgement and flag salute led by Councilmember Hines, followed by a moment of silence. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest in the traditional lands of the Piala people where they make their home and speak the Lashutsi language. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence. Under God and municipal with liberty and justice problem. Are there any modifications to the agenda this evening? Seeing none, we will move on to the consent agenda. I move to adopt the consent agenda. Second. Moved and seconded. Are there any questions, comments, or corrections? All those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye. All those opposed signify by saying nay. Consent agenda is declared adopted. We have one ceremonial tonight for the lunar new year proclamation. As I read the proclamation. Welcome. Whereas uh Lunar New Year is celebrated by millions of people globally and begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, and whereas in 2026, the lunar new year begins on Tuesday, February 17 and marks the beginning of the year of the horse. And whereas this milestone is celebrated by diverse cultures in many different ways, but often includes the lighting of fireworks, lanterns, and candles to banish the symbolic darkness of night. And whereas Lunar New Year is also celebrated as the spring festival in many cultures, and is Chunji in Chinese communities, Techwindan in Vietnamese communities, and Silal in the Korean communities, and whereas at a time of rising divisions and hatred in the world, Lunar New Year represents an opportunity to come together, share food, light lanterns, and organize cultural programs and create more opportunities for community to gather and celebrate. And whereas this year marks the 36th annual Lincoln District Lunar New Year Festival, where the streets are closed for a day of lion dancers, firecrackers, food, and family fun. And whereas the Asia Pacific Cultural Center celebrates the Lunar New Year with their largest event, the annual Asia Pacific New Year Celebration, a community-based arts and culture exhibition, which this year features Cambodia. Now, therefore, I, Andrews Ibsen, Mayor for the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, to hereby proclaim today Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, as Lunar New Year in the City of Tacoma, and invite our residents to recognize this cherished celebration that contributes to our diverse and thriving communities. We join in shared hope for good fortune and prosperity for everyone who lives, works, and plays in the City of Tacoma. Please say a few words. Honorable Mayor Ibsen, respected members of the Council. I am Lua Pritchard, Executive Director of Asia Pacific Cultural Center, and the chair of the Asian Pacific Island Coalition of Pierce County. I have here with me our many different leaders of our community of Asian Pacific Islander countries who wanted to be with me here today to accept this proclamation. Thank you for this wonderful and important gesture in honor of our Asian Pacific Islander community in City of Tacoma. AANHPI make up over 10% of the City of Tacoma population and still growing. Many businesses in the City of Tacoma are owned by our AA and HPI people. Our people pay taxes. Those of us who live in Tacoma are proud residents of Tacoma. And we are also very so proud of so many we know who are Asians or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders who work for this city, who make this city good. And we also want to count uh call out Deputy Mayor Bushnell, City Council Sadagi, and also our city manager Kim, who's not here today. We are very proud of our people.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com