The Tacoma City Council met on April 28, 2026, at approximately 1:15 PM (start of meeting) to address a consent agenda, three ceremonial proclamations, public comments, appointments, a contract authorization, a first reading of an animal control ordinance, a public hearing on a proposed annexation, and committee reports. All council members were present except Councilmember Palmer (absent). The meeting was adjourned after a motion.
Thank you. I'd like to call to order the City Council meeting of April 28th, 2026. Clerk, please call the roll. Deputy Mayor Bushnell. Present. Councilmember Diaz. Councilmember Heinz. Councilmember Palmer. Absent. 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 Hines, followed by a moment of silence. Thank you. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Piala people where they make their home and speak the Lishut Seed language. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance 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. I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolution numbers 41895 through 41897. Second. Moving second, are there any questions, comments, or corrections? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed to say nay, consent agenda is declared adopted. We have three ceremonials tonight. For the International Firefighting Firefighters Day proclamation, I'd like to invite Pat McElagott, Vice President of Local 31, John Sleisner, Assistant Fire Chief, and all firefighters in attendance to the podium as I read the proclamation. Welcome everyone. Whereas firefighters dedicate their time to the protection of life, property, and the environment and make the ultimate sacrifice of risking their lives in protecting others. And whereas International Firefighters Day is a time when the world's community recognizes and honors the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure their communities and environment are as safe as possible. And whereas we observe the state each year on May 4th, the feast day of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, when we remember firefighters who have died while serving our community or dedicated their lives to protecting the safety of us all. And whereas the Tacoma Fire Department is our community's primary provider of pre-hospital emergency care and was dispatched to over 53,000 emergency incidents in 2024. And whereas the demands of firefighting are accompanied by both professional and personal tolls that all firefighters knowingly accept while risking their physical and mental health to protect the lives of others. And whereas by recognizing International Firefighters Day, we show our support and gratitude to the firefighters here in Tacoma and around the world who protect us throughout the year. Now therefore, I, Andrews Ibsen, Mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim Monday, May 4th, 2026, as International Firefighters Day in the City of Tacoma, and invite our residents to join us in sharing gratitude for our Tacoma Firefighters for the work that they do every day to protect and care for our community. Who would like to say a few words? Well, I've got about five pages of notes here, so just bear with me, guys. No, it'll be short. Mayor and Council members, thank you for this honor and recognition of International Firefighters Day. I'm proud to stand here, but this award really belongs to the men and women of the Tacoma Fire Department who show up every day on People's Worst Day with skills, compassion, and commitment. Firefighting is a team effort, and I'm fortunate to be a part of the group that truly cares about this community. We're here to serve, and it's a privilege to do so. Thank you for your support of your firefight of our firefighters and the people we serve.