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Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting – March 11, 2026: Community Forum Changes, Downtown BIA, and More

City Council — Wednesday, March 11, 2026
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, March 11, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:19:12

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:37

I would like to call to order the city council meeting of March 10th, 2026.

0:41

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:42

Deputy Mayor Bush now.

0:44

President.

0:44

Councilmember Diaz.

0:46

Councilmember Hines.

0:48

Councilmember Palmer.

0:50

Councilmember Rumba.

0:52

Here.

0:52

Councilmember Sidalgay?

0:54

Here.

0:54

Councilmember Scott?

0:56

Here.

0:57

Councilmember Walker.

0:58

Here.

0:58

Mayor Ibsen?

1:00

Here.

1:00

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

1:07

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

1:16

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

1:48

Are there any modifications to the agenda this evening?

1:52

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

1:54

Are there any questions, comments, or corrections?

1:58

I move to adopt the consent agenda, including final reading of ordinance numbers 29061 and 29062, and first reading of ordinance number 29095.

2:08

Second.

2:09

Alright, move to the seconded.

2:10

Questions, comments, corrections.

2:12

Council Hines.

2:14

I I move to accept the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the hearing examiner for ordinance number two nine zero nine five.

2:21

Second.

2:22

Moving second, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

2:24

Aye.

2:26

Motion is declared adopted.

2:28

Um all those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, including setting ordinance number two nine zero nine five over to be to a date to be determined.

2:35

Please signify by saying aye.

2:36

Aye.

2:37

Those supposed to say nay.

2:38

Uh the consent agenda is declared adopted.

2:41

We have one ceremonial tonight.

2:44

Um for the girls' flag football teams from Stadium and Lincoln High School's recognition, I'd like to invite uh Shaws Jacomb, head coach from Lincoln High School, Avery Liati, captain from Lincoln High School, Fidney Blackmore, team most valuable player, and captain from Stadium High School, Maddie Kramer, captain from Stadium High School, and Bella Long, uh captain from Stadium High School to the podium, as Councilmember Hines reads the recognition.

3:13

All right.

3:14

And and while we're getting ready for this, and people are coming up, I'm gonna put bring out my prop I brought for this evening.

3:30

Still fits.

3:31

Still fits.

3:32

You know, back in back in the uh the turn of the century, early aughts, we believed in large letter jackets.

3:38

Um so yes.

3:40

I was also a lot bigger back then.

3:42

So uh whereas the Lincoln and Stadium High School girls' flag football teams have proven that Tacoma is a powerful force to be reckoned with in girls' sports by winning the inaugural 3A state championship and securing third place in the 4A state championship respectfully.

3:59

And whereas both teams left the football fields this season with studying plays and touchdowns and persevered through adversity by focusing on teamwork and maintaining an unselfish commitment to each other, and whereas these victories also belong to their incredible coaches, families, friends, and those who provided unwavering support showing that in Tacoma we stand by each other.

4:18

And whereas our city is so proud of each of these athletes and their historic achievements, and we have no doubt that they are just getting started dominating the field, and we'll be celebrating them for many more wins to come.

4:30

Now I, John Hines, on behalf of the city council and over the over 225,000 residents of Tacoma, do hereby recognize the Lincoln and Stadium High School girls' flag football teams for their championship victories, their commitment to teamwork, and their dedication to showing that Tacoma athletes are the best in the state.

4:47

Let's give them a round of applause.

4:51

Um, before I kick it back to the mayor, in all fairness, as I'm wearing this, I thought I would ask the question.

5:03

And who won that game?

5:05

Stadium High School.

5:06

So, yes, I would just I want to give this as I'm wearing my Lincoln.

5:10

Everybody knows for my loyalties are, but I wanted to give the stadium girls their due.

5:13

So with that, Mr.

5:14

Mayor will turn it back over to you.

5:15

Thank you so much, Councilmember Hines.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement██████████████████████22%
Procedural███████████████████19%
Community Engagement█████████████████17%
Immigration Detention Oversight██████████10%
Public Safety██████6%
Economic Development██████6%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Personnel Matters████4%
Transportation Safety████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting – March 11, 2026

Note: The transcript of this meeting consistently refers to the date as March 10, 2026, but the provided metadata indicates the meeting occurred on March 11, 2026. This summary uses the latter date as instructed.

The Tacoma City Council met on March 11, 2026, for a regular business meeting that included a ceremonial recognition, public comment, and several legislative actions. The most debated topic was a motion to temporarily modify the community forum structure while the council considers permanent rule changes. The council also approved the downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) renewal, collective bargaining agreements, a sister city designation, and an eminent domain authorization for a road improvement project.

Consent Calendar

  • The council adopted the consent agenda, which included final readings of ordinances 29061 and 29062, and first reading of ordinance 29095 (with a separate vote to accept the hearing examiner’s findings for that ordinance).

Ceremonial Recognition

  • The council recognized the Lincoln and Stadium High School girls’ flag football teams for their state championship victories. Councilmember Hines read a proclamation, and coaches and players offered brief remarks.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public Comment (on agenda items):

  • Multiple speakers voiced strong opposition to a proposed temporary reduction of community forum from twice to once per month, arguing it would limit free speech and public participation. Speakers included Michelle Reich, Samuel Kaiser, Kyle Jolly Boyce, and others, who requested restoring the three-minute speaking time and maintaining twice-monthly forums.
  • David Shraddell (Executive Director, Downtown Tacoma Partnership) spoke in support of resolutions 41865 and 41866, highlighting the BIA’s achievements (e.g., 113,000 pounds of trash removed, 3,600 tags removed, 22 new businesses).
  • Several speakers addressed the Northwest Detention Center, calling for divestment from GEO Group, a strong climate commission, and policies limiting ICE enforcement on public property.
  • Residents requested safer crosswalks at 9th and Ainsworth, citing near-misses and the need for improved pedestrian infrastructure.

Community Forum (later in the meeting):

  • Additional speakers continued to criticize the community forum changes, urged divestment from GEO Group, and asked for police clarity on ICE interactions. A crossing guard and parent described dangers at 9th and Ainsworth. Some speakers also raised concerns about housing conditions and tenant rights.

Discussion Items

Community Forum Modifications (Agenda Item 9):

  • Mayor Ibsen proposed a motion to temporarily remove community forum from the March 24, April 28, and May 26, 2026 business meetings, suspend the 60-minute time limit, and maintain the current 90-second speaking limit. The council debated extensively.
  • Councilmember Palmer offered an amendment to increase the default speaking time to 180 seconds (3 minutes) during the interim period. Councilmember Hines expressed concern about very long meetings if many speakers signed up. A friendly amendment (by Councilmember Hines) allowed the presiding officer to reduce the speaking time based on the number of attendees. That amendment passed.
  • The amended motion (once-monthly community forum, 3-minute default, no 60-minute cap, chair discretion to adjust time) passed on a voice vote.

Downtown Tacoma Business Improvement Area (Items 10-11):

  • Debbie Bingham (Community and Economic Development) presented resolutions 41865 and 41866, renewing the BIA for its 39th year with a budget of $1,960,865 and a contract with the Downtown Tacoma Partnership for $2,224,180. The BIA provides safety, cleaning, and advocacy services. The council approved both resolutions unanimously.

Collective Bargaining Agreements (Items 12, 13, 17):

  • Dylan Carlson (Labor Relations) presented resolutions 41867 and 41868, and ordinance 29097, covering IBEW Local 483 units (Customer & Field Services and Human Resources). The agreements include wage increases, market adjustments, and clarifications on shift bidding, overtime, safety shoe reimbursement, and a language proficiency pilot. The council approved resolutions 41867 and 41868, and set ordinance 29097 for final reading on March 24.

Sister City Designation (Item 14):

  • Councilmember Cunningham presented resolution 41869 to designate Garden Root District Municipality, South Africa as a sister city, replacing the previous sister city (George, South Africa). The resolution passed unanimously. The council noted the expanded partnership includes seven municipalities and over 630,000 residents.

Wholesale Transmission Rates (Item 15):

  • Ordinance 29094, updating Tacoma Power’s wholesale transmission rates and terms to reflect Western Energy Balance Market practices, passed on final reading (roll call vote: 8 ayes, 1 absent).

Eminent Domain (Item 16):

  • Candy Bremer (Real Property Services) presented ordinance 29096 for the East Portland Avenue project (64th to 72nd Street). The city needs to acquire 204 square feet of land from Tuscany Court Apartments for a pedestrian signal. The council authorized eminent domain, noting that negotiations had failed and just compensation would be provided. The ordinance passed on first and final reading (roll call: 8 ayes, 1 absent).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda adopted (ordinances 29061, 29062, 29095).
  • Motion to modify community forum passed as amended: temporary reduction to once per month (March 24, April 28, May 26, 2026), 3-minute default speaking time, no 60-minute cap, and chair discretion to adjust time based on attendance. The council will continue discussing permanent rule changes.
  • Resolution 41865 (BIA renewal) and Resolution 41866 (administration contract) adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution 41867 (IBEW Local 483 Customer & Field Services) and Resolution 41868 (IBEW Local 483 HR Unit) adopted.
  • Ordinance 29097 (compensation plan implementation) set for final reading on March 24.
  • Resolution 41869 (sister city designation) adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinance 29094 (wholesale transmission rates) adopted.
  • Ordinance 29096 (eminent domain for East Portland Avenue project) adopted.
  • Council committee reports noted, including PFAS study, streets levy outreach, and student ticket program for state tournaments.
  • The next study session and business meeting are scheduled for March 24, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

I would like to call to order the city council meeting of March 10th, 2026. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Deputy Mayor Bush now. President. Councilmember Diaz. 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 Sidalgay, followed by a moment of silence. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Piala people where they make their home and speak the Leschutseed 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. Are there any questions, comments, or corrections? I move to adopt the consent agenda, including final reading of ordinance numbers 29061 and 29062, and first reading of ordinance number 29095. Second. Alright, move to the seconded. Questions, comments, corrections. Council Hines. I I move to accept the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the hearing examiner for ordinance number two nine zero nine five. Second. Moving second, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion is declared adopted. Um all those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, including setting ordinance number two nine zero nine five over to be to a date to be determined. Please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those supposed to say nay. Uh the consent agenda is declared adopted. We have one ceremonial tonight. Um for the girls' flag football teams from Stadium and Lincoln High School's recognition, I'd like to invite uh Shaws Jacomb, head coach from Lincoln High School, Avery Liati, captain from Lincoln High School, Fidney Blackmore, team most valuable player, and captain from Stadium High School, Maddie Kramer, captain from Stadium High School, and Bella Long, uh captain from Stadium High School to the podium, as Councilmember Hines reads the recognition. All right. And and while we're getting ready for this, and people are coming up, I'm gonna put bring out my prop I brought for this evening. Still fits. Still fits. You know, back in back in the uh the turn of the century, early aughts, we believed in large letter jackets. Um so yes. I was also a lot bigger back then. So uh whereas the Lincoln and Stadium High School girls' flag football teams have proven that Tacoma is a powerful force to be reckoned with in girls' sports by winning the inaugural 3A state championship and securing third place in the 4A state championship respectfully. And whereas both teams left the football fields this season with studying plays and touchdowns and persevered through adversity by focusing on teamwork and maintaining an unselfish commitment to each other, and whereas these victories also belong to their incredible coaches, families, friends, and those who provided unwavering support showing that in Tacoma we stand by each other. And whereas our city is so proud of each of these athletes and their historic achievements, and we have no doubt that they are just getting started dominating the field, and we'll be celebrating them for many more wins to come.

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TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
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