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.