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Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting Summary – May 19, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, May 19, 2026
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 19, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:14:34

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:03

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of May nineteenth, twenty twenty-six.

0:07

Quick, please call the roll.

0:09

Deputy Mayor Bushnell, absent, Councilmember Diaz, absent, Councilmember Heinz.

0:13

Councilmember Palmer.

0:15

Councilmember Rumba.

0:17

Absent.

0:17

Councilmember Sidalgay?

0:18

Here.

0:19

Councilmember Scott?

0:20

Here.

0:20

Councilmember Walker?

0:21

Here.

0:21

Mayor Ibsen.

0:22

Here.

0:23

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

0:28

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

0:37

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

1:12

All right, we have one modification to the agenda tonight, adding a recognition for Deputy Chief Frank Krauss as item seven eight of the agenda.

1:19

Is there any additional modifications at the agenda this evening?

1:28

I'd like to take a recess for five minutes, Mr.

1:30

Mayor.

1:30

Can I make a motion to take a recess?

1:31

Sure.

1:32

Second.

1:32

Move and second for recess.

1:34

All those in favor say aye.

1:34

Aye.

1:35

Aye.

1:35

Those opposed to say no, we'll recess for five minutes.

4:17

Yes.

4:18

I move to move item 13, resolution number four one nine one six to a date to be determined.

4:26

Second.

4:27

Move and second.

4:28

Those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

4:30

I was supposed to say nay.

4:31

Um that resolution is tabled to a date to be determined.

4:35

Moving on to our consent agenda.

4:38

Is there a motion for the consent agenda?

4:42

Sorry, I'm getting used to being on deck right here.

4:44

I move to adopt the consent agenda.

4:47

Second.

4:48

Movement seconded.

4:48

Are there any council or any council?

4:50

Do we need to do the inclusions?

4:52

Yes.

4:52

I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions numbers four one nine one one through four one nine one three.

4:59

Second.

4:59

Moving second with the friendly correction.

5:01

Uh all those in um are there any people with any uh corrections, any questions or comments on the consent agenda as modified.

5:09

Seeing none of those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye.

4:59

Aye aye.

5:14

Those opposed to say nay.

5:15

Consent agenda is adopted.

5:17

Uh moving on to proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements.

5:21

We have four ceremonials tonight.

5:23

I would first like to invite uh Deputy Chief Frank Krauss to coma police and podium.

5:35

Welcome, Chief.

5:37

Um Deputy Chief.

5:38

Uh uh Deputy Chief Frank Krauss's retirement marks the close of an extraordinary 35-year career of service to the people of Tacoma.

5:46

Since joining the Tacoma Police Department in April of 1990, Frank has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public safety, professionalism, and compassion.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Miscellaneous████████████████████████████████32%
Procedural██████████████14%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Arts And Culture█████████9%
Public Safety████████8%
Economic Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting – May 19, 2026

The Tacoma City Council met on May 19, 2026, to consider a consent agenda, multiple proclamations, public comments, appointments, purchase resolutions, an opportunity zone application, and a public hearing on the 2026 amendment to the One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan. Several councilmembers were excused.

Proclamations & Recognitions

  • Deputy Chief Frank Krauss Retirement: The Council recognized Deputy Chief Krauss for his 35-year career with Tacoma Police Department, highlighting his leadership and compassion. He thanked the Council and his wife.
  • National Public Works Week (May 17-23, 2026): The Council proclaimed the week and announced that the city’s Hylibos Bridge Repair Project received both state and national APWA awards for best emergency repair and best disaster project under $9 million. Public Works staff accepted the proclamation.
  • Jewish Heritage Month (May 2026): The Council proclaimed May 2026 as Jewish Heritage Month, acknowledging rising antisemitism and affirming support for the Jewish community. Rabbi Karen Gorbin and Temple Beth El President Eric Madsen accepted.
  • Therapeutic Court Month (May 2026): The Council proclaimed May 2026 as Therapeutic Court Month, recognizing the work of behavioral health and community courts. Judges D. Sontag and Sergio Flores thanked the Council.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda, including Resolutions 41911 through 41913, was adopted unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Emily Reich (CFO of a real estate company) spoke in support of Resolution 41917 (opportunity zones), stating that her company’s 400-unit affordable housing project at 15th and Fawcett depends on the designation to attract equity investment.
  • Marion Schwartz thanked the Council for the Jewish Heritage Month proclamation, noting the rise in anti-Jewish rhetoric and activities.
  • Kit Burns spoke to items 41915 and 41916, expressing opposition to affordable housing provisions that he said harm the city and questioning changes in the contract language for encampment mitigation cleanup services. He noted item 41916 was tabled.
  • Dr. Bill Parker (public hearing) complained about a commercial short-term rental in a UR1 zone, alleging noise and crowds, and criticized the city for not acting on ambiguous code wording.
  • Kathy Irwin (public hearing) opposed allowing special needs housing and daycares in industrial zones (M1/M2), arguing it puts vulnerable populations at risk from pollution and traffic.

Discussion Items

  • Appointments (Resolution 41914): The Council adopted a resolution appointing, reassigning, and reappointing members to the Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, following committee interviews.
  • Purchase Resolution 41915: The Council authorized an increase to the contract with CABRAS Cleaning Service LLC by $9 million for encampment mitigation and litter removal, for a total projected contract of $9.2 million plus taxes. Adopted.
  • Opportunity Zone Application (Resolution 41917): Debbie Bingham presented the city’s application for six census tracts to be designated as opportunity zones under the new federal program. Existing OZ-funded projects have generated over $250 million in investment. The resolution supports the application and authorizes the mayor to write letters of support. Adopted.
  • Public Hearing – 2026 Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Steve Atkinson presented the Planning Commission’s recommendations on four application packages: pre-annexation zoning for East McKinley properties, special needs housing/shelter code updates, minor code cleanup, and state legislative changes (daycares, binding site plans). The hearing was held; further readings set for June 2 and June 9.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda adopted (resolutions 41911-41913) unanimously.
  • Resolution 41914 adopted, appointing members to the Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.
  • Resolution 41915 adopted, increasing the CABRAS Cleaning Services contract by $9 million.
  • Resolution 41917 adopted, supporting opportunity zone applications for six census tracts.
  • Item 13 (resolution 41916) tabled to a date to be determined.
  • Public hearing on the 2026 Comprehensive Plan amendment closed; final readings scheduled for June 2 and June 9.
  • Councilmembers Diaz, Rumbaugh, and Deputy Mayor Bushnell excused from the meeting.
  • Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of May nineteenth, twenty twenty-six. Quick, please call the roll. Deputy Mayor Bushnell, absent, Councilmember Diaz, absent, Councilmember Heinz. Councilmember Palmer. Councilmember Rumba. Absent. 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 Lashutseed language. Please stand for the flag salute and remain standing for a moment of silence. All right, we have one modification to the agenda tonight, adding a recognition for Deputy Chief Frank Krauss as item seven eight of the agenda. Is there any additional modifications at the agenda this evening? I'd like to take a recess for five minutes, Mr. Mayor. Can I make a motion to take a recess? Sure. Second. Move and second for recess. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed to say no, we'll recess for five minutes. Yes. I move to move item 13, resolution number four one nine one six to a date to be determined. Second. Move and second. Those in favor, please signify by saying aye. I was supposed to say nay. Um that resolution is tabled to a date to be determined. Moving on to our consent agenda. Is there a motion for the consent agenda? Sorry, I'm getting used to being on deck right here. I move to adopt the consent agenda. Second. Movement seconded. Are there any council or any council? Do we need to do the inclusions? Yes. I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolutions numbers four one nine one one through four one nine one three. Second. Moving second with the friendly correction. Uh all those in um are there any people with any uh corrections, any questions or comments on the consent agenda as modified. Seeing none of those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye.

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