Tacoma City Council Meeting Summary – July 14, 2026

The Tacoma City Council met on July 14, 2026, to adopt the consent calendar, recognize the Sparta Tacoma U-17 soccer team for winning the national championship, hear public comments on several agenda items, and vote on resolutions and ordinances. Key actions included approval of a multifamily housing tax exemption, a $10,000 contingency fund sponsorship for a youth program, and final passage of the critical areas preservation ordinance. Community forum featured testimony on data centers, detention center funding, tenant rights, and the South Tacoma settlement agreement.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted unanimously, including routine approvals.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tyler Daniels (on Resolution 41958 – multifamily housing tax credit): Expressed concern over lack of proper review processes to track rents and alleged conflict of interest involving the mayor’s line of work.
• Kelly Robinson (on youth program): Thanked the city for funding a summer youth program at Bryant Neighborhood Center, held Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30–8:00 PM, offering activities, food, and support to prevent youth violence.
• Kit Burns (on Resolution 41958): Commented that the 70% affordable rent rate set in the tax exemption is too high; suggested 60% is more appropriate, noting that market rates are dropping.
• Heidi Stevens (on Ordinance 29114 – critical areas): Opposed an amendment that rejected the planning commission’s recommendation, arguing it prioritizes industry over aquifer protection in the Port of Tacoma; urged delay and removal of the port amendment.
• Kathy Irwin (on Ordinance 29114): Echoed Heidi Stevens’ concerns, urging the council to vote no on the amended substitute ordinance and respect the planning commission’s protections for the aquifer.

Discussion Items

• Sparta Tacoma Championship Recognition: The council recognized the Sparta Tacoma U-17 team (North Tacoma Soccer Club) for winning the 2026 Elite Academy League National Championship. A proclamation was read by Councilmember Hines. Coach and players spoke about representing Tacoma and playing with passion. Councilmembers Rumbaugh and Hines praised the team’s dedication and community impact.
• Resolution 41958 – Multifamily Housing Tax Exemption: Authorized a 12-year limited property tax exemption for Michael Hopkins’ development of seven units (2 affordable, 5 market-rate) at 7056 Fawcett Avenue. Staff presented estimated fiscal impacts: $90,000 total taxes generated, $29,000 exempted, net positive $61,000. Council approved with one nay vote.
• Resolution 41959 – Council Contingency Fund Sponsorship: Approved $10,000 to sponsor the “Beyond the Block” youth program at Bryant Neighborhood Center, offering free, culturally informed activities for ages 11–16 on Wednesdays and Fridays 5:30–8:00 PM. Councilmember Palmer sponsored; all members supported.
• Ordinance 29114 – Critical Areas Preservation Ordinance (Final Reading): Final passage of the amended substitute ordinance updating the critical areas code to incorporate new science and ensure consistency with state law. Councilmember Palmer voted nay. Passed 7-1.

Community Forum

• Brad (on license plate readers): Opposed flock cameras, citing privacy concerns and potential for a “police state.”
• Randy Gookstetter (on 311 system): Criticized the city’s ticket system for closing and archiving tickets without completing work, using a February 2025 speed zone request as an example.
• Tyler Daniels (on WestRock paper mill): Raised concerns about ongoing environmental contamination from the mill, urging the city to address air, water, and soil pollution.
• Alma Villegas (on detention center funding): Told the story of “Kenny,” a Cuban detainee deported to Mexico without legal representation, and urged the council to allocate $170,000 annually for legal services and phone calls for ICE detainees.
• Lydia Zapeta (on detention center funding): Supported the $170,000 line item, highlighting a case of a cancer survivor detained without legal help.
• Aidan Perkinson (on phone funds for detainees): Emphasized the importance of phone access for detainees to contact families and legal aid; 987 of 1,289 detainees are listed as non-criminal.
• Kit Burns (on South Tacoma settlement agreement): Criticized the interagency agreement with the Department of Ecology for lack of resident input and failure to address truck traffic on S. 56th Street.
• Susan Healy (on tenant rights): Described a severe pest infestation in her rental unit and the inability to find legal representation; urged the council to add daily penalties for landlords violating laws.
• Albert Goodwin (on Proposition 1 – ballot measure): Opposed the measure, saying it is vague and should focus on fixing potholes and gravel roads; based on a survey of 300+ residents.
• Heidi Stevens (multiple topics): Supported earlier speakers on WestRock, detention funding, tenant rights, and opposition to flock cameras; noted Los Angeles removed flock system. Criticized the interagency agreement for excluding residents and called for a moratorium on data centers.
• Kathy Irwin (on South Tacoma settlement): Stated that South Tacoma residents were excluded from meetings and decisions about how settlement funds are used, despite being the intended beneficiaries.
• Shanna Franklin (on detention legal representation): Supported a permanent budget line for legal representation for detainees, noting many lose jobs, homes, and family connections while detained.
• Onita Arnold (on detention legal representation): Urged prioritizing $170,000 for legal counsel for detainees, calling it a small amount to ensure justice.

Council Comments & Committee Reports

• IPS Committee Report (Councilmember Walker): Reported on multiple meetings: recommended planning commission candidates (confirmed June 30); reviewed parking citation rates, Galt Middle School grant application, South Tacoma tree canopy interagency agreement ($1.75 million through 2028), renewable natural gas facility performance, and right-of-way design manual update. Received policy letters on climate action plan and Sound Transit Enterprise Initiative. Next meeting July 22, focusing on groundwater and PFAS.
• Councilmember Walker: Announced the launch of a voluntary salvage assessment program for demolition permits (July 1). First assessment resulted in salvaging kitchen cabinets, doors, windows, plumbing, appliances, furnace, and water heater, diverting waste from landfill.
• Councilmember Hines: Celebrated Operation Guardian’s 21 arrests of individuals involved in child exploitation, led by Washington State Patrol with involvement from Tacoma Police Department.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 41958 (multifamily housing tax exemption) adopted (vote not recorded; one nay heard).
• Resolution 41959 ($10,000 youth program sponsorship) adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 29114 (critical areas preservation) passed 7-1 (Palmer nay).
• Motion to excuse Mayor Ibsen passed unanimously.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:30 PM.