I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of June 23rd, 2026.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Deputy Mayor Bushnell.

Present.

Councilmember Diaz.

Councilmember Hines.

Absent Councilmember Palmer, absent Councilmember Rumba, absent Councilmember Sidalgay, absent Councilmember Scott.

Here.

Councilmember Walker here.

Mayor Ibsen.

Here.

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

We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest on the traditional lands of the Puala people where they make their home and speak the Lachute seed 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?

Uh I move to adopt the consent agenda, including resolution number four one nine four one through four one nine four five.

Second.

Move and second.

Are there any questions, comments, or corrections to the consent agenda?

I would like to remove resolution number four one nine four one relating to an interlocal agreement with the Department of Ecology from the consent agenda and consider this item under the regular agenda at the request of staff.

Resolution number four one nine four will now be considered under the regular agenda after item number 10.

All those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, including resolutions number four one nine four two through four one nine four five.

Please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Those opposed say nay.

Consent agenda is considered, excuse me, is declared adopted.

Moving on to proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements.

We have one ceremonial tonight, proclaiming Saturday, June 27th as Chamorrow Day.

For Chamorro Day, yeah.

Um I would like to invite uh is uh is Auntie Lua here.

He's not here, I will be doing the okay, great.

Well, um, besides um the uh the memory of uh of Lua, I'd like to also invite uh Joel La Remer, who's founder of the Imahe School of Dance to the podium as I read the proclamation.

Whereas the City of Tacoma is strengthened by the diversity of its residents and is committed to celebrating the cultures, histories, and traditions that contribute to the vibrancy, inclusiveness, and vitality of our community, and whereas the Chamorro Day Festival serves as an important opportunity to honor and preserve the living culture of the Chamorra people through music, dance, storytelling, food, art, cultural demonstrations, and community gathering.

And whereas the festival fosters cultural pride, education, and intergenerational learning by creating opportunities for elders to share knowledge, youth to connect with their heritage, and community members of all backgrounds to deepen their understanding of Chamorro culture, and whereas the Chamorra Value of Inufa Maolek, the spirit of mutual respect, cooperation, and harmony, reflects values that strengthen communities and inspire meaningful connections among residents, and whereas the second annual Chamorro Day Festival celebrates the past, present, and future of Chamorro Culture while ensuring that traditions, language, and cultural practices continue to thrive for future generations.

Now, therefore, I Andrews Ibsen, mayor of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim Saturday, June 27th, 2026, as Chamorro Day in the City of Tacoma.

Encourage all residents to join to honor the enduring legacy of the Chamora people while celebrating the cultural diversity that makes Tacoma a vibrant and welcoming city.

Please say a few words.

Good evening, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and members of the Tacoma City Council.

On behalf of the Chamorro Day Festival Planning Committee, Guma Imahi, and the Chamorro community throughout Tacoma and Pierce County.

This proclamation carries great significance for our community for many Chamorros living far from our ancestral homes in the Meridianas.

Opportunities to celebrate, preserve, and share our culture are essential.

It allows us to pass our language, traditions, music, dance, and values to future generations while educating the broader community about our rich history and contributions of the Chamorro people in the city of Tacoma.

Tacoma has long embraced and celebrated cultural diversity, and this recognition demonstrates the city's commitment to honoring the many communities that call Tacoma home.

By proclaiming Tomorrow Day, you are helping ensure that our stories, tradition, and heritage continue to be recognized and appreciated.

We are especially grateful for the support of our community partners, including the City of Tacoma through Tacoma Creates and the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, whose partnership has helped make the Tomorrow Day Festival possible.

Together, we are creating opportunities for thousands of people from all backgrounds to learn of the tomorrow culture, build meaningful connections, and celebrate the values of family respect and community that define who we are.

On behalf of the elders, families, youth, cultural practitioners, and the many volunteers who have worked tirelessly to preserve and perpetuate our heritage, thank you for this honor.

We are proud to call Tacoma home and look forward to continuing continuing to share the culture and spirit of the Marianas with the community for generations to come.

Thank you, Mr.

Larimer.

Are there any members of the council who would like to comment?

I would like to comment, Mr.

Mayor.

Mr.

Mayor and respected members of the council, thank you so much for this great honor.

Seattle Tacoma has one of the largest population of tomorrow's from Guam and Northern Marianas.

And we are so proud to be working with the Mahe from Guam, representing and showcasing the cultures and the people of Guam.

And we want to thank Joel Larimer and his leadership and all of the Mahe leaders and groups who practice and perform throughout the state of Washington representing and showcasing their Guam heritage.

Thank you so much for today.

Thank you.

Thank you so much for all of you do.

Uh bienvenido on behalf of the Tacoma City Council.

And with that, uh, with that, why don't you please step forward to accept the proclamation and one more round of applause for all that you do?

Thank you so much.

We can have everybody come up.

Yeah, please come.

Everybody, come on.

Okay.

Can we, yeah, can we, if there's anybody who's willing to kind of be down in the front?

Perfect.

I don't know how to take pictures.

Can we get just to scoot in scoot in as tight as you can?

Just be close, close, close, close.

Thanks all.

One, two, three.

Great job.

Thank you all.

Okay.

All right, moving on to public comment.

Clerk, please read.

This is a time set aside for public comment.

Speakers are asked to identify the specific legislation they wish to address.

All right.

Under public comment, you can speak about any motion, resolution, or ordinance on tonight's agenda.

And if you are commenting virtually, just uh raise your hand or hit star nine.

So with that, uh I'd like to keep uh just give a friendly reminder for everyone's uh comments to be as respectful, relevant, focused, and on topic as possible.

Um, you will have 90 seconds to make your remarks.

Please be mindful of the time frame.

With that, we're gonna get started with the people who've signed in.

So we have Marilyn Kimmerling followed by Samuel Kaiser.

Welcome.

Uh, can you comment on which uh item you're speaking to tonight?

Yes, good evening, council.

My name is Marilyn Kimmerling and I'm in District One.

I'm here to comment on resolution S41943 and resolution S41941.

Excuse me.

So I see that there is a resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with the Department of State of Ecology in the amount of 1,750,000, and accepting and depositing the STEM into the stormwater fund to implement the South Tacoma tree canopy enhancement program through December 2028.

And then on the uh resolution S41943, I see that the city is has a resolution awarding a contract to clean energy in the amount of 1,05,002, plus a 10% contingency budgeted from the Solid Waste Fund for preventative measures maintenance and repairs for the compressed national natural gas fueling station.

So we get money in to protect our canopy, and now we're spending it to um uh repair the natural gas fueling station, and it occurs to me that this is an inappropriate use of funds where we regret it.

And you're welcome to send the rest of your comments via email, too.

Thank you.

Our next commenter is uh Samuel Kaiser, followed by Jamie Cortez.

Uh as CAS, we respect any effort that goes towards improving the environment for the people of Tacoma.

We support the efforts to improve tree canopy and restore unused parking lots back into green space.

Um we unite with the concern of air pollution, but more needs to be done.

Uh preventative measures should be taken uh as meant at um as many as members of the city, council may be aware.

New star, U.S.

oil, Pacific Functional Fluids, Seaport Sound Terminal, uh are all refineries on the port of Tacoma that have been out of compliance with the EPA's Clean Water Act for every quarter of the last three years.

Uh spills, leaks, and improper disposal of waste can quickly impact worker health.

There's a substantial and well-developed body of scientific literature on the health impacts to workers at oil refineries, a rigorous study from 2021 published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that the petroleum industry work was statistically associated with significantly elevated risk of several cancers.

The same study found that children living near petroleum facilities had nearly double the risk of childhood leukemia, which is partially relevant given a U.S.

oil refineries location and residential and tribal community.

A study this year found in the Mart in March 2026, systemic scoping review uh published in current environmental health reports by UCLA and UC Barrically researchers.

Thank you for your comments, sir.

You're welcome to send the rest in writing to the council.

And uh before further people speak, because it sounds like a lot of people are signed up, uh, to be abundantly clear.

This uh this is public comment, so this is for items on tonight's agenda.

Um you're absolutely um welcome to send us written communication or speak a community forum about uh opinions on um fossil fuels or about land use in general, but uh this actually is not the item to speak about this.

Uh this particular item um 41941 is specifically uh the deposit of money into the stormwater fund for tree canopy.

So if that's what you are talking to, then absolutely great.

Um if you're talking more broadly, this actually isn't the time to do that.

So just for everyone's clarification to respect everyone's time.

So with that, we have uh Jamie Cortez followed by Abby Greenfield.

And can you identify the topic you're speaking to?

Yeah, resolution uh 41941 talking about tree canopy here in Tacoma.

Um, like Sam said, we do support improving the tree canopy.

That's one of the many reasons why we need a community control climate commission here in Tacoma.

Uh, you know, we commend the work that other groups like Tacoma Tree Foundation do.

Um, but it's very clear that you know the current climate commission is not uh the body to help oversee um actual uh green improvement in Tacoma.

You know, we understand that they have overview of the city's resources, and we would like to see a community control climate commission because the residents of South Tacoma are so passionate about the tree canopy here, right?

Uh did y'all see how hot it is outside today, right?

We have so much concrete in South Tacoma specifically.

So we are glad to see uh more efforts go into the tree canopy, but are saddened to see projects like the mega warehouse where old growth trees uh were cut down and sacrifice for profit uh for companies like Bridge Industrial from Chicago instead of prioritizing our residents' health here in Tacoma.

And so we continue to see this pattern where the on the one hand the city you know tries to say that you're supportive of tree canopy, but we need to see actual real change and what that looks like for us as a community-controlled climate commission that puts people over profit and water over wealth.

Thank you.

Thanks for your comments.

Abby Greenfield, followed by Claire.

Hi.

Uh, just like my friends who just spoke, I also really I hope that the council will approve this resolution 14941.

The canopy is important, it's a drop in the bucket of what we need to reclaim environmentally.

Every time a corporation is allowed to proceed and pollute or put the environment at risk, the people pay the price.

The corporation might pay the dollars, right?

8.95 million that they have to pay to the Department of Ecology, only like 1.7 million, right?

Is going to the trees.

The rest of it is yet to be determined that could even go away if the funding somehow goes away.

I read the contract.

So wherever we allow one step forward for pollution, it's always gonna take extra steps to recover and uh secure health and environmental safety for the people of Tacoma.

So I'm glad.

I'm glad that the Department of Ecology interviewed residents of the impacted areas.

I think that was a great step.

Always should be the people making helping make choices, making decisions for what's right.

Um, but the city, if the city can't work with the port already, for example, and make sure that corporations within Tacoma are complying with the Clean Water Act.

We don't have a lot of um faith that the same will happen in the mega warehouse.

Or we do think the same will happen with the mega warehouse and other corporations.

And compliance is important everywhere here for um the trees.

Thank you, Abby.

And you're welcome to submit the rest of your comments in writing too.

Claire followed by Ari Peel.

Let's clear there.

Hello, members of city council.

I'm here to speak.

Sorry, go ahead.

I am here to speak about uh resolution S41941, uh, tree canopy in South Tacoma.

Uh I'm a resident of South Tacoma, and uh I appreciate the uh tree enhancement program.

There are not enough trees in South Tacoma.

Uh and it is really hot.

The trees help uh with the shade and they help cool us down, but you know, what about the trees that were cut down for this warehouse to be built?

Uh the the this is a band-aid solution to me.

Um there needs to be more trees all across South Tacoma.

Uh the environment needs to be priority over profit over corporations.

Uh and it doesn't address the extent of the environmental damage that a new warehouse causes.

There are many other environmental issues here in Tacoma that go unaddressed because the current uh climate commission is not strong enough and does not have enough funding to address them.

Uh, that's why I feel that we need a community-controlled climate commission, uh a stronger climate commission, and we need to see systematic change, not this uh chain of band-aid solutions.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, Ari Peel, followed by Aidan Carrea.

Hello, I'm Ari Peel.

I will also be speaking on resolution S1 or S41941.

Uh yeah, I think it is really important and really good that we are putting in this tree canopy and we aren't fixing these problems now that they have arisen.

I agree with Claire.

We should be working to stop them before that happens.

I appreciate that this project is going to be clearing a large area of currently concrete, and it makes sense why that is involving the stormwater uh system because that is where our storm water comes from, and particularly in the Port of Tacoma, which is almost entirely paved.

Our stormwater is extremely toxic and runs straight into the sound.

It is very important that we stop covering our ground in concrete and turn the concrete that is currently there into more absorbent and better ways to deal with this stormwater, as well as stopping the companies that are polluting our stormwater in the first place so that we do not have to deal with it and build these projects to fix these problems later.

Thank you.

QR.

Aidan followed by Kit Burns.

Hello.

Uh same resolution as everyone else.

Yeah, I like the tree canopy.

I enjoy what it does, especially in this comp coming hot summer.

And I'm just a little confused on the fact of, right, like this warehouse came to be and how this the funds for a canopy and and for forestry stuff wasn't already something that was like um thought of in uh while this was being built, right?

Like why is it being um bandaded after the fact, right?

After the forests were already culled down, and now we're just adding uh more canopy after the fact of already um paving it over, right?

Um I feel like there should be uh, you know, we were talking about a people's climate uh community controlled climate commission, and I feel as if having a stronger version of that would allow us to you know uh nip these problems in the bud before we have to spend so much money um already to try and ameliorate the issue uh after the fact, right?

And furthermore, um being able to uh have a better city management and put more trees uh along the city so that we can uh have a cooler cooler shedding all across South South Sound and South Tacoma would be um would be better.

So basically more money uh but also more planning and and thinking beforehand.

Appreciate your comments.

Kit Burns is our last in-person speaker.

My name is Kit Burns.

I live in district three.

I'm speaking on um 41948 regarding affordable housing.

I think the city of Tacoma's um not complying with the state law when it comes to providing affordable housing.

This item on the agenda tonight, I think doesn't measure up and I think may not be eligible.

The uh I've looked through a number of documents like the House Bill 1110, which was the basis of home in Tacoma.

It said affordable housing is 80% of AMI, yet the proposal tonight says it's 115%, and that doesn't meet the criteria of affordable.

There's also a document uh that I found on the um Department of Commerce, said improving home ownership rates for black indigenous and people of color in Washington, and it's a report from 2022, and it says, and I'll read this because I didn't memorize it.

It says um the RCW 3670A-540 states that affordable homeownership must incentives must serve households with incomes below 80% of the median income.

So I think we need to do some homework.

I put together some documents.

I'll send you an email that has all the calculations.

I've gone through this uh in detail and any errors in math of mine.

Thank you.

Look forward to it.

All right.

Our first virtual speaker is Heidi Stevens, followed by Kathy Erwin.

Heidi Stevens speaking on resolution 41941.

I'm a resident of South Tacoma within the Bridge Industrial Settlement Boundaries, a board member of the neighborhood council, and was closely involved in the Department of Ecology stormwater appeal, personally impacted in this highly overburdened community.

So I am so sad that once again South Tacoma is being served up more unverified promises that we're supposed to be happy about after being deliberately deceived by the taking over of settlement funds that were supposed to be largely decided by the affected residents of whom the city's actions caused the injustice to begin with.

There have been a lot of shameful actions by the city over the years, but tonight is one of the worst.

There was no true community inclusion.

Using past unrelated community input is unacceptable.

We only learned recently, to our horror, that the Department of Ecology had already been meeting with the City of Tacoma long before ever reaching out to residents.

But even prior, we had repeatedly requested to be part of any such meetings or at least to receive information of the discussions, but were denied.

We're only now seeing the first suggestions of what that money is going to be used for in a two-block radius.

The median strip is of street improvement that these funds should not be being used for.

If there's any logic to this, we don't know because we weren't included.

If many people don't speak about this, they still don't know about it.

What we need are invested residents involved in every step of the process, now going forward.

And you're welcome to send the rest of your comments in writing too.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Kathy Irwin, followed by Tim Smith.

Hello, my name is Kathy Irwin, South Tacoma resident.

Speaking on resolution 41941, um, I want to re um not reiterate what um Heidi has just mentioned, but um confirm what she has told you is what we have learned last week that the city was the first contact with from the Department of Ecology back in 2024, and long before anybody ever connected with the Department of Ecology connected with anybody in South Tacoma, even for any input.

Um this has been horrifying to hear this.

This whole project is being overstated.

If people think there's a lot of de paving going on, it's not.

It's a single 10 10 spot parking lot that's close to uh South Union Street.

And so while this sounds very inviting, this is not a great situation.

This tree canopy uh money is being used that has been taken away from people that will be needing it for air purifiers and other features to help with mitigating the impacts of this warehouse traffic.

Um, I want to strengthen also share that this has been a deliberate effort by both the City of Tacoma and the Department of Ecology representatives to conceal information and to exclude us from meetings, and this can be certainly verified with the many emails we have sent back and forth.

So I want to make sure that people understand this is another instance of environmental injustice.

Thank you, Kathy.

Our final speaker is Tim Smith.

My name is Timothy Smith, and I'm from the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, Tacoma.

Spotty has committed an over-verse action by bringing forth resolution 41941.

And one of you should make a motion to table this.

Consulting with legal advisors and attorneys, it is clear the diversion of money from the $8.9 million settlement between Department of Ecology and Bridge Industrial in the City of Tacoma coffers, has occurred with no actual approval by the second agreed party, the South Tacoma residents.

This is beyond your power to approve tonight.

Heidi Stevens and I are the two people that appealed the Washington State water to the Washington State Water Pollution Control Board.

Discrepancies and faults in the construction stormwater permit issued by Department of Ecology, the 260-acre warehouse complex, which destroyed over 50 acres of trees, laid down 200 plus acres of impervious surface over our soul source drinking water aquifer.

City of Tacoma joined with Bridge in opposition to every issue we raised.

You joined them against your own residents.

As council member Walker put it safely behind the scenes to snatch 1.7 million dollars portion of that money directly shops me to no end.

You should table this and seek such approval.

General meetings, a list of past projects, and other things are not such approval.

You tell me I have to be involved, I was.

I got my neighbors $8.9 million.

Not for you to spend as you think is best.

Thank you, sir.

I appreciate your comments.

Thank you.

And you're welcome to submit the rest of your comments in writing too.

With that, uh, we have no further speakers signed in, so we're going to close public comment.

Um, I understand folks are interested in this particular topic, and uh just two agenda items.

We'll actually get a staff briefing to fill folks in more on the specifics.

So, with that, we're gonna move on to the regular agenda.

We have a motion before us for consideration.

I moved to authorize the city's full and final settlement of all claims against the city in the manner of Nelson versus City of Tacoma et al.

Pierce County Clause number 25-3-10361-2 related to personal injuries occurring on a public sidewalk adjacent to 1524 North Fife Street upon payment by the city in the amount of 110,000 dollars and execution of a release in a form approved by the city attorney.

Second.

Alright, move and second it.

Are there any council questions or comments?

Hearing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye, those opposed to say nay.

The resolution is uh the motion is declared passed.

Uh moving on to interlocal agreements.

Item four, this item was moved from the consent agenda to the regular agenda.

Clerk, please read.

Resolution 41941, a resolution authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology and the amount of $1,750,000 accepting and depositing said some into the stormwater fund to implement the South Tacoma Tree Canopy Enhancement Program through December 31st, 2028.

I move to adopt resolution number 41941.

Second.

Move and seconded.

I'd like to call on Mr.

Mike Carey for staff perspective on this.

Good evening, Mayor Ribson, members of the city council.

Um, thank you for providing the opportunity tonight to come and speak about this resolution in partnership with the City of Tacoma and Department of Ecology on the South Tacoma Tree Canopy Project.

As you've heard tonight, there's a lot of interest in the community around this topic, and we're hoping to shed a little light on the scope of services that are going to be provided in this.

And then I also wanted to make sure to mention that tomorrow night at the infrastructure planning sustainability meeting, we're getting over the full scope of the project as proposed.

On hot days like today, we're reminded that this work matters.

Increasing tree canopy reduces heat, improves air quality, and helps protect your most vulnerable neighbors.

Once again, my name is Mike Carey, I'm the urban forest program manager here at the City of Tacoma.

And joining me tonight is Bobek Talimi, Ecology's Southwestern Olympic Region Director.

I'm gonna invite Bobek to talk a little bit about the project and how the partnership with ecology and the city formed.

And then I'll come back and share just a few words about the scope of the work and what we're looking forward to doing should City Council decide to pass this interagency agreement through resolution between the city and ecology.

I'll make a thank you.

Thank you for having us.

It's been two years of work, and we're excited for this moment to be able to present in front of you here today.

So in November of 24, ecology was able to secure 8.595 million dollars in settlement funds to help mitigate the impacts on the bridge industrial facility and the surrounding community.

Specifically, the goals of these funds is to provide resources to the community to reduce the impacts of the increased trust truck traffic.

Because these funds are limited, especially knowing the extent of what capital projects cost, ecology adopted an approach that will address the areas that will be most impacted along the truck traffic routes first.

We based our prioritization on air quality modeling.

Since the settlement was signed, we have been making connections throughout the South Tacoma community, meeting with neighborhood groups, local and state agencies, and community organizations.

This included intensive outreach to the Oakland Madrona neighborhood to gather input on how to spend these funds.

Specifically, we did a mailer survey, online survey, and partnered and partnering with the local organization Voices Tacoma to conduct door knocking.

From that work, the community prioritized and we determined that the settlement funds should be distributed into three areas.

The first, air quality monitoring, with three new monitors established near the new warehouse.

The second is part of a partial weatherization program for the homes along the Union truck Union Avenue truck route.

And the third is increasing tree canopy in the settlement area in partnership with the city.

This partnership on the South Tacoma Tree Canopy Project builds on the many efforts by the city, including the Tacoma Mall Subarea Plan, Tacoma Mall Greenery Project, greening research in Tacoma, and the South Tacoma Neighborhood Plan.

We are very much very much looking forward to this partnership with the city and the outcomes for the community.

Thank you for this opportunity.

Thanks, Bobek.

So, as Bobik mentioned, this partnership was formed in part due to the bridge industrial warehouse settlement, and within that settlement agreement itself, there's specific terms and conditions, including where the bulk of the funding should be directed.

Which the scope that we've put together in this interagency agreement is directly in response to that.

As Babuk mentioned too, I just want to be really clear about, there were some comments made around community engagement in this work.

We've been working pretty deep in this neighborhood since 2015 when we started the Tacoma Mall sub-area planning process and heard loud and clear from the community what they wanted to see for improvements.

We've continued to do that through the South Tacoma neighborhood planning processes, and we've been actually working really deep since 2018 through a grant we received through the Forest Service to do tree work implementation in the neighborhood.

And that actually was the foundation of what we now know as the Green Blocks program that I think many of you actually have participated in before.

And so not only have we been doing deep work in this neighborhood, but it's actually been foundational to forming some of the programs and partnerships that we offer as a city as a whole.

So with that, I think we all know that South Tacoma and Oakland have a deep and complex history.

Portions of these neighborhoods were historically redlined.

The post-World War II development resulted in a mix of industrial uses and residential uses, and the streets were pretty explicitly built just for autocentric purposes.

Today, this area that's identified as overburdened and highly impacted by air pollution due to the particulate matter that's a result of the industry that's there in the neighborhood and the truck traffic.

It's really what drives this partnership between the city and ecology.

So figure out how might we bring investment in green infrastructure and improve environmental and health outcomes to this community of need.

As mentioned, ecology was really fundamental in receiving and securing that funding to impact or to offset some of the air quality impacts associated with the Bridge Point development, and their air quality expertise is allowing them to implement the portions to deliver the air quality monitoring as mentioned by Bobic and the weatherization work as well.

And that combined with the city's existing urban forestry program and strong partnerships that we have with agencies like the Tacoma Tree Foundation and the Pierce Conservation District, are gonna allow us to have this unique partnership and strong collaboration.

This interagency agreement establishes relationship and brings, as mentioned, 1.75 million dollars of investment directly to this neighborhood, as outlined in three phases of work in the scope of this interagency agreement.

Phase one, which is intended to be conducted this summer of 26, proposes a complete right-of-way inventory and analysis, looking at existing trees, existing tree planting opportunities, and designating areas that are prime for depaving.

So removing pavement from planting strips and other areas to then reclaim that earth and turn it into green infrastructure that's an investment in our community.

Phase two and 27 uses the data collected in phase one and partners with the Tacoma Tree Foundation to implement a green block style program.

And that program, I think, as you all are aware, is free street trees to our neighbors.

And through this partnership, for the first time, we're actually able to offer private property trees as well, which will be a pretty tremendous opportunity to increase tree canopy in the neighborhood.

And then the last part of that will also be to um to uh offer potential for the community to support with depaving activities, not just for the Union Avenue improvements, which I'll talk to in a minute, but also to residential improvements and people's own frontage.

Maybe their planting strip is currently graveled or paved over with asphalt.

We'll be able to provide services to remove that and reclaim that earth as well.

And then phase three, uh plan for 2028 will be delivering a pretty major improvement to Union Avenue.

The primary trick traffic route, which was mentioned in the agreement again identifies this specific corridor as needing the bulk of the primary funding for implementation work.

And this uh scope of work includes new tree planted medians, so a central asphalt median will be removed and turned into a planting strip to provide more trees to the community.

Uh new street trees will be planted on both sides, and then the city will actually leverage our own existing funds and our sidewalk program and add funds to the pool to then make complete safe um walking routes as well throughout this corridor.

Uh phase two and three will both offer robust community engagement as we typically do with our green box programs and otherwise.

I don't include door-to-door outreach, planting events, deep haves, and opportunities for participation for the community to help shape what that parklet design looks like and that deep that was mentioned in a current parking lot today.

We'll be sharing more details at tomorrow's infrastructure planning and sustainability meeting scheduled for 4 30 here at the municipal building.

And I invite the community to follow along with updates and become involved by going to Tacoma.gov/slash South Tacoma Tree Canopy.

With that, thank you again, Mayor, Council and Ecology, and our community partners for providing the opportunity and supporting this work to strengthen our urban forest and improve the health outcomes of South Tacoma.

We appreciate your consideration of the interagency agreement.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mike, for the presentation.

At the risk of oversimplifying, this is free money for more trees in South Tacoma, right?

Um I mean, that is yeah, pretty I mean, if I direct yes, this would allow the opportunity for ecology to invest the money already collected directly into the neighborhood.

Okay, great.

Any council uh clarifying questions or comments?

Councilman Walker.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, I I don't want to um dig too far in Louise because I know you are coming to IPS tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to more discussion on the specifics of deeping and where these things are going.

But um, just didn't want to miss a moment to thank you for both the work that has been done today by coming and explaining it all too because it it is a one-of-a-kind, and you talked a little bit about these trees.

We've always been able to put them in the right of way.

Now we can put them in private property.

So there's a lot of firsts as part of this, and it's very exciting.

So thank you for um jumping in on the opportunity and thank you to Ecology for working with us to make sure we got something that really matters to the neighborhood.

So um appreciate it.

And I think Mike, you had said previously this um what we're passing tonight is simply starting the process to accept the money.

There will be more um, I mean, even starting tomorrow, there's more um opportunity to dig into the scope.

There's more opportunity for community to be involved, and right this is the beginning, not the end, I guess.

Absolutely, absolutely.

So that um this agreement that's in front of us tonight is just for consideration to essentially allow for the channel to pass the funds and support the community work.

All of the scopes in there are intentionally um bounded by the things that we intend to do with lots of room for community feedback and opportunity to support the needs of the community.

So it's intentionally, and again, we'll discuss more tomorrow at IPS as well.

But we put really strict parameters on what we can do with the opportunity for flexibility within that to get information from community and serve them the best.

Great.

Well, thank you so much for the thoughtfulness you put into this and looking forward to more discussion.

Thanks so much.

All right, thank you.

All right, the resolution before us is 41941.

All those in favor, please uh signify by saying aye.

I'm supposed to say no.

Resolution is declared adopted.

Thank you very much.

All right, moving on to purchase resolutions.

Item 11, Clerk, please read.

Resolution 41946, a resolution authorizing an increase to the contract with Puget Sound Wood Products and the amount of 408,350 for black bark used in the creation of Tagro products for projected contract total of two million one hundred and seventy thousand dollars plus applicable taxes.

I move to adopt resolution number four one nine four six.

Second.

Move and second, any council questions or comments.

Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting resolution number four one nine four six, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Resolution is declared passed.

Moving on to resolutions, item 12.

This item is also going to have a PowerPoint presentation for that will also cover item 13.

Please read.

Resolution 41947, a resolution authorizing the execution of a multifamily housing 12-year limited property tax exemption agreement with RKD 708 LLC for the development of 12 multifamily market and regulative rate rental housing units located at 708 East 35th Street in the McKinley Mixed Use Center.

I move to adopt resolution number 41947.

Is there a second?

Moving second, I'd like to call on Paul Balker for the staff presentation.

Thank you, Mayor Ibsen.

Good evening, City Council.

I'm Paul Bacher with the community and economic development department.

I'll be presenting resolutions 41947 and 41948.

For the first project, uh RKD 708 LLC is proposing to develop 12 market rate and affordable units.

Here is a breakdown of the proposed units, which include three affordable rate units as well as nine market rate units.

And these are all one bedroom, one bath units.

Here is a map of the project's location in the McKinley Mixed Use Center at the corner of 35th in G Street.

The table shows the estimated fiscal implications for the project.

And the total city taxes to be exempted at 56,000, leaving a net positive fiscal impact of 102,000.

Apologies, trying to get my slides right here.

Moving on to resolution 41948.

For this project, TAC Build LLC is proposing to develop 14 new owner-occupied units, affordable and market rate.

Uh of note, this is our first 12-year project that includes owner-occupied units.

And here's a map of the location in the downtown regional growth center.

They're at 2331 Yakima Avenue.

This table shows the estimated fiscal impacts for the project.

And that concludes my presentation.

Thank you.

Any questions from the council?

Deputy Mayor.

Thank you, Mayor.

Just a question on the resolution 41948, the um TAC bill owner-occupied units.

Are those possible because of the changes that we made in allowing for um utilities and things of that nature to be under one bill, like under a certain like authority and HOA of some sort?

I I'm curious as to are they all like um I trying to figure out how best to ask this question.

But I maybe that's the question is like I we did make some changes uh in home and Tacoma or something like that to allow for multifamily, uh, owner occupied like townhomes and others in order to uh have utilities all in one uh under an association or organization that the owners own.

Um is that was that why this was able to be penciled out because I think one of the challenges was the ability to um have utility separation based on owner occupancy.

Um thank you for the question, Deputy Mayor Bushnell.

Uh I would hesitate to uh try to figure out if that specific legislation is what caused this project to pencil.

Um, but I would say generally speaking, those changes did promote these more owner occupied types of projects.

Okay.

Um maybe we can follow up afterwards.

I'd love to learn a little bit more about how it was determined that would these were gonna be owner-occupied and and what factors went into that.

Um, one of uh many of the me and my colleagues, you know, really want to see more owner-occupied uh uh ownership opportunities out there.

And if if this is an example of something that works, then maybe we can help spread the word and you know how things pencil out and how it works, and so I'd love to learn a little bit more about that.

Absolutely, I'd be happy to follow up.

All right, thank you.

All right, thank you, Deputy Mayor.

And uh, I too am really excited at the idea of more owner-occupied and new construction owner-occupied for under half a million is insane.

I mean, that's a really good deal.

And just to reiterate anyone who buys these subsidized units has to physically live in the property.

So investors, cash buyers aren't going to buy these.

This this would be an actual owner-occupant, flesh and blood person living there, right?

That is correct, Mayor.

And we are working with legal on the language that we are going to add to the deed that would require it to remain with an eligible person, regardless of if it's sold subsequently from the initial purchase.

Fantastic.

Thank you.

All right.

Uh, any other comments on this?

Well, very good.

Appreciate that, Paul.

Um, with that, if there are no questions on this, uh, all those in favor of adopting resolution number four one nine four seven, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

I was supposed to say nay.

Resolution is declared adopted.

Item number thirteen, clerk.

Please read.

Resolution 41948, a resolution authorizing the execution of a multifamily housing 12-year limited property tax exemption agreement with TAC build LLC for the development of 14 multifamily market and regulator rate owner-occupied units located at 2331 Yakima Avenue in the downtown regional growth center.

I move to adopt resolution number 41948.

Move and seconded.

This item was just presented.

Any additional questions or comments?

Seeing none of those in favor of adopting resolution number 41948, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

I'm supposed to say no.

Resolution is declared adopted.

Thank you, Paul.

Moving on to first reading of ordinances.

Item 14, Clerk, please read.

Ordinance 29112, an ordinance amending chapter 1.12 of the municipal code relating to the compensation plan to implement changes to non-represented classifications and rates of pay to reflect the organizational structure.

I'd like to call on Kerry Lewey.

Good evening.

Human resources director.

Ordinance 29112 will provide for the implementation of refinements.

If you wouldn't mind starting over just so we can hear everything, no problem.

Good evening, Mayor Ibsen and members of the City Council.

I'm Carrie Lewey, Assistant Human Resources Director.

Ordinance 29112 will provide for the implementation of refinements to the compensation plan for the non-represented compensation structure.

The changes support organizational alignment under the city manager's roadmap to recovery by creating a new non-represented classification of environment and public works director for the combined environment and public works department.

Combining environmental services and public works under one executive leader creates a new uh more streamlined and adaptive leadership structure for two closely connected operating departments.

With this change, the ordinance also provides for the deletion of the classifications of director environmental services and director public works.

The ordinance also creates a new non-represented point of classification of sustainability analyst principle to support expanded departmental functions.

In addition, the ordinance provides for title updates to three uh non-represented classifications.

And I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you, Carrie.

Are there any council questions or comments?

Deputy Mayor.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

And I just wanted uh the um the the classifications went through the worksheet that was we had passed uh a couple weeks ago.

Is that correct?

Just wanted to confirm that.

That is correct.

The decision tree.

Yes.

Yes, the decision tree.

Great.

Thank you.

I'm glad to see it's already working.

Thank you.

Thank you, Deputy Mayor.

Seeing no further uh council questions or comments, this ordinance will be set over for final reading next week.

Thank you, Kerry.

Thank you.

Moving on, is there any unfinished business?

Seeing none, uh city manager, do you have a report this evening?

Mayor, no report.

Thank you.

Okay.

Are there any uh committee reports from the city council or any comments from the city council?

I'll make one brief comment.

Uh I'm pleased to report that as of Monday, Parks Tacoma's board has uh voted a resolution of support for the connect to coma effort and the facts and information uh outreach effort.

That brings it to three of our sister agencies, Parks Tacoma, uh Port of Tacoma, and the Tacoma School Board who've indicated their support.

It's indicative of the hard work that our city staff uh have been uh putting forward there to engage.

We've heard a lot of high marks uh from both the work of city staff as well as the volunteer levy committee for the educational outreach.

Stay tuned for more information on getting the word out about uh what this means for the community and uh ways that you can get more informed as well.

And uh with that, I'm just uh just wanted to state my appreciation for everyone who's been doing the hard work, more to come, and uh there's a lot more engagement to be had.

So, with that, is there any final uh council comment or question before we have motions for excusal?

Uh seeing none, we have a fair amount of council members uh representing Tacoma at the Association of Washington Cities.

So I'll accept a motion or motions for um excusing colleagues.

I move to excuse Council Member Hines, Council Member Sidalgay, Councilmember Palmer, Councilmember Rumbaugh from the meeting tonight.

Second.

Moving second, those in favor of the excusal, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Those opposed to say nay.

Members are excused.

Is there a motion to adjourn?

Move to adjourn.

Second.

Moving second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Those opposed to say nay.

We are adjourned.

Good night.