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Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting: City Manager Appointment & Proclamations - March 4, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, March 4, 2026

BodyTacoma, Washington

SessionCity Council

DateWednesday, March 4, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:47:32

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:02

Sorry, I was in a meeting when you called.

0:07

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of March 3rd, 2026.

0:11

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:13

Deputy Mayor Bushnell.

0:15

President.

0:16

Councilmember Diaz.

0:18

Councilmember Hines.

0:19

Councilmember Palmer.

0:20

Here.

0:21

Councilmember Rumba.

0:22

Here.

0:22

Councilmember Sidalgay?

0:23

Here.

0:24

Councilmember Scott.

0:25

Here.

0:25

Councilmember Walker.

0:26

Here.

0:27

Mayor Ibsen.

0:28

Here.

0:28

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

0:35

Kathy's journey began November 15th, 1940 in her beloved hometown of Tacoma.

0:39

She was one of four children.

0:41

Kathy had a tremendous impact on the City of Tacoma's business community.

0:44

She and her late husband Leonard ran the Clover Leaf for 10 years and learned the ins and outs of the business and what it means to be a good boss.

0:54

After leaving the Clover Leaf, Kathy went on to manage engine house number nine for several years.

0:59

And after E9, Kathy went on to purchase the Spar Tavern in Old Town with the help of her longtime friend.

1:05

Over a period of 37 years, Kathy was able to transform the Spar Tavern into a thriving business, touched the lives of countless employees and customers alike, and brought blues to Old Tacoma.

1:17

Kathy was an active member of Tacoma North Rotary, where she opened her home to several rotary exchange students.

1:24

She also served on the Job Carr Cabin Museum Board and was an original member of the Old Town Business Associates, which in time became the Old Town Business District.

1:33

She was also a lifetime member of St.

1:35

Leo's Parish.

1:36

Kathy had an infectious smile and was truly a servant leader.

1:40

Kathy left her mark on the City of Tacoma and leaves behind a lasting legacy.

1:46

Is uh anyone here uh wish from the family?

1:52

Okay.

1:53

Um can I just make one remark?

1:55

Mayor.

1:55

Okay, so um I just want to say that Kathy was the reason that there was the old town business district, and one of the things that people might not know about her is that she made the best banana bread.

2:07

And so I'm just so glad that we honored her tonight.

2:09

She really is one of those people that makes Tacoma what it is.

2:14

We gratefully honored acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Pia people where they make their home and speak the Lashutsi language.

2:21

Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence.

2:53

Are there any modifications to the agenda this evening?

2:57

Seeing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda.

3:00

Is there a motion?

3:02

I move to approve the consent agenda, including resolution numbers 41860 through 41862.

3:08

Second.

3:08

Move and second.

3:09

Those in favor say aye.

3:10

Aye.

3:10

Those opposed say no.

3:12

Consent agenda is declared passed.

3:14

We have two ceremonials tonight for the American Red Cross Month Proclamation.

3:18

I'd like to invite Larry Bleitch, Community Volunteer Leader, Elected Official Liaison, American Red Cross, South Puget Sound and Olympics chapter, to the podium as I read the proclamation.

3:29

Welcome.

3:30

Whereas for more than a century, the American Red Cross has been at the forefront of helping Americans prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters large and small, where their employees, volunteers, and supporters meet loss and disaster with compassion and care.

3:44

And whereas in Tacoma, the American Red Cross works tirelessly through its volunteers to support us when disaster strikes, when someone needs life-saving blood, or the comfort of a helping hand, provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans, and their families, and offers training in CPR, aquatic safety, and first aid.

4:02

And whereas the American Red Cross makes Tacoma safer and stronger, and we recognize its critical humanitarian role in our community and honor the South Puget Sound and Olympics chapter's contributions to making our city a better place.

4:15

Now therefore, I, Andrews Ibsen, mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim March 2026 as American Red Cross Month in the City of Tacoma, and I call on our residents to commemorate this recognition.

4:29

Please say a few words.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Personnel Matters███████████████████████████████31%

Community Engagement██████████████████████22%

Procedural██████████████14%

Public Engagement██████████10%

Immigration Detention Oversight███████7%

Economic Development███3%

Parks and Recreation███3%

Public Health██2%

Arts And Culture██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting – March 4, 2026

The Tacoma City Council met on March 4, 2026, to consider the appointment of a permanent city manager, adopt resolutions, and recognize two community proclamations. The meeting included a land acknowledgement, a moment of silence for community member Kathy Menkey, and a consent agenda. The most significant action was the appointment of interim city manager Hyun Kim to the permanent role, following a national search and extensive public comment.

Consent Calendar

Approved consent agenda including Resolution Nos. 41860 through 41862.

Ceremonial Proclamations

American Red Cross Month (March 2026): Proclamation read by Mayor Ibsen; Larry Bleitch, Community Volunteer Leader for the South Puget Sound and Olympics chapter, accepted and spoke about the Red Cross response to December atmospheric river flooding and the community's support during the holidays.
Women's History Month (March 2026): Proclamation read by Mayor Ibsen; Andrea Hogue (South End Neighborhood Council and Community Council of Tacoma), Farin Johnson (CEO, Amara), and Karen Headland (Principal Electrical Engineer, Tacoma Public Utilities) accepted and spoke about women's leadership, community engagement, and representation in engineering.

Public Comments & Testimony

City Manager Selection: 16 speakers addressed the council. The majority (11 speakers) expressed strong support for Yolanda Lewis, citing her experience in public safety, accountability, community engagement, and fresh perspective. Speakers included Alice Phillips (President, Pierce County Central Labor Council), Michelle Douglas, Andy, Rev. Mike Roberts (NAACP and Tacoma Ministerial Alliance), Brian Flint (former Tacoma Public Utility Board member), Dr. Tefana Irvin (third-generation Tacoma resident), Robin Melanda Redeemer (President, Tacoma branch NAACP), Josiah, Mariana Heich (North Coast States Regional Council of Carpenters), Laura Christensen (United Food and Commercial Workers Local 367), Ann Dorn, Barb Church (Northeast Neighborhood Council), and Melissa Millot (Executive Director, Communities for Healthy Bay). Several speakers urged the council to consider Yolanda Lewis even if not selected as city manager.
Four speakers, including Patrick McGillagott (Tacoma Professional Firefighters Local 31), Oliver Webb (Executive Director, Diversity Alliance of the Puget Sound), and others, expressed support for Hyun Kim, emphasizing his local knowledge, labor relations experience, and steady leadership during his interim tenure.
One speaker (April Smith) spoke in support of the Women's History Month proclamation and praised Andrea Hogue's community work.

Discussion Items

City Manager Appointment: The council moved to nominate and offer employment to Hyun Kim for the position of Tacoma City Manager. Councilmembers offered extensive remarks: Deputy Mayor Bushnell, Councilmembers Sidalgay, Walker, Rumbaugh, Diaz, Hines, Palmer, and Scott all expressed support for Kim, citing his experience, values, collaborative approach, and ability to handle budget challenges and community relations. Mayor Ibsen also voiced support, acknowledging the community's desire for boldness and innovation and stating that Kim is up to the task. Councilmember Palmer noted her vote was symbolic as Kim had sufficient support. Councilmembers also thanked the applicants, especially Yolanda Lewis, and the community for engagement.
Resolution 41863 (Skate Park MOU): Authorized a $1 million MOU with Parks Tacoma for design and construction of a covered skate park under I-705 in Council District 2, selected through a participatory budgeting process with over 6,000 votes. Councilmember Rumbaugh expressed excitement about youth involvement.
Resolution 41864 (Block Party Sponsorship): Authorized $25,000 from council contingency funds to sponsor the 5th annual Citywide Block Party hosted by True Vine Community Church, to be held at Cheney Stadium in August 2026. Councilmember Hines highlighted the event's resource fair and back-to-school supplies.
Ordinance 29094 (Transmission Rate Update): First reading of an ordinance updating Tacoma Power's wholesale transmission rates and terms to reflect cost increases; the proposed increase is 6% annually, generating an additional $2.6 million in revenue. No public comments were received. Set over for final reading.
Reports: Councilmember Sidalgay updated on the immigration resources webpage (launched Jan 27, 2026, with 2,200 views). Deputy City Manager reported on credit rating upgrades: Moody's upgraded general obligation bonds from AA2 to AA1, and Fitch upgraded solid waste bonds from AA to AA+.

Key Outcomes

Appointed Hyun Kim as Tacoma City Manager (Resolution 41863? — actually the motion was to nominate and offer employment; the vote was unanimous with aye votes from all councilmembers). The appointment is subject to background checks and contract negotiation.
Adopted Resolution 41863 authorizing the $1 million MOU for the covered skate park in Council District 2.
Adopted Resolution 41864 authorizing $25,000 for the Citywide Block Party.
Passed Ordinance 29093 (final reading) amending compensation for union employees (Local 117 and IBEW 483).
Set over Ordinance 29094 (transmission rate update) for final reading on March 11, 2026.
Council noted the credit rating upgrades and the ongoing immigration resources webpage.

Meeting Transcript

Sorry, I was in a meeting when you called. I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of March 3rd, 2026. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Deputy Mayor Bushnell. President. Councilmember Diaz. Councilmember Hines. Councilmember Palmer. Here. 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 Rumbaugh, followed by a moment of silence in honor of Kathy Menkey. Kathy's journey began November 15th, 1940 in her beloved hometown of Tacoma. She was one of four children. Kathy had a tremendous impact on the City of Tacoma's business community. She and her late husband Leonard ran the Clover Leaf for 10 years and learned the ins and outs of the business and what it means to be a good boss. After leaving the Clover Leaf, Kathy went on to manage engine house number nine for several years. And after E9, Kathy went on to purchase the Spar Tavern in Old Town with the help of her longtime friend. Over a period of 37 years, Kathy was able to transform the Spar Tavern into a thriving business, touched the lives of countless employees and customers alike, and brought blues to Old Tacoma. Kathy was an active member of Tacoma North Rotary, where she opened her home to several rotary exchange students. She also served on the Job Carr Cabin Museum Board and was an original member of the Old Town Business Associates, which in time became the Old Town Business District. She was also a lifetime member of St. Leo's Parish. Kathy had an infectious smile and was truly a servant leader. Kathy left her mark on the City of Tacoma and leaves behind a lasting legacy. Is uh anyone here uh wish from the family? Okay. Um can I just make one remark? Mayor. Okay, so um I just want to say that Kathy was the reason that there was the old town business district, and one of the things that people might not know about her is that she made the best banana bread. And so I'm just so glad that we honored her tonight. She really is one of those people that makes Tacoma what it is. We gratefully honored acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Pia people where they make their home and speak the Lashutsi language. Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence. Are there any modifications to the agenda this evening? Seeing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda. Is there a motion? I move to approve the consent agenda, including resolution numbers 41860 through 41862. Second. Move and second. Those in favor say aye. Aye.

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