I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of July 28th, 2026.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Deputy Mayor Bushnell.

President.

Councilmember Diaz.

Here.

Councilmember Hines.

Here.

Councilmember Palmer.

Here.

Councilmember Ramba is absent.

Councilmember Sidalga?

Here.

Councilmember Scott.

Is absent.

Councilmember Walker is absent.

And Mayor Ibsen.

Here.

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

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

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence.

And it's the Republic for which it stands violation undervisible with liberty and justice for all the modifications to the agenda this evening.

Seeing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda.

Is there a motion?

I move to adopt a consent agenda including resolution number four one nine six nine.

Second.

Moving second, are there any questions, comments, or corrections?

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

Aye.

I'm supposed to say no.

Consent agenda is declared adopted.

There are no proclamations, recognitions, presentations, or announcements.

Moving on to public comment.

Clerk, please read.

This is the time set aside for public comment.

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

All right.

Clerk, you're too fast.

Thank you.

Uh this forum is intended to give speakers the opportunity to share their viewpoints and feedback with the city council to aid in our decision making and is not meant to be a back and forth.

Your remarks should be directed to the entire city council or not individual members or staff members.

And if you're attending virtually, then you can just uh click the raise hand or star nine.

We have one person who signed in in person, and that's Mr.

Tyler Daniels.

And if Mr.

Daniels, you can uh specify which item on tonight's agenda you're speaking to.

Clerk, before we start the time.

May I please acknowledge that I do not consent to being called Mr.

Tyler Daniels.

My name is Tyler Daniels.

Pardon, please proceed.

Thank you.

Um I am here, Tyler Daniels, PE, discussing resolution 41969 for the health services for the city of Tacoma.

This was not put through an RFP for general purposes.

This appears to be a standard business practice that's going with the flow of what has been done.

Um as an individual who has utilized this system since its conception in 2015.

It is not something that doesn't warrant going outside to look for other options.

So you're going to consent agenda, almost $800,000 to keep this system going that requires employees to take hours and hours and hours and hours and hours of either their private or their public time just to get a $20 income credit for their wellness credit each month.

And that is not something that we need to keep perpetuating.

We need to expand our requests for proposals from other businesses like myself and others who provide services in the wellness industry.

Continuing to go with something that's 10 years outdated that really isn't hitting the mark for your employees, is not doing them the service, and they are your best asset, which you've stated in this as the city, then I would highly encourage you to invest further.

Thank you, Tyler.

We have no other in-person speakers, and there do not appear to be any people who've signed in to comment on tonight's agenda on items.

So with that, we are going to close public comment and move on to the rest of our agenda.

We have a motion before us as uh part of the regular agenda for consideration.

I move to authorize the proper officers of the city to execute a settlement agreement between the city and the central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, Sound Transit, and full and final settlement of all claims and disputes between the city and sound transit related to the D to M Street track and signal project and the hilltop link extension project with such settlement agreement to be in substantially the form of the settlement agreement approved by the Sound Transit Board on July 23rd, 2026, pursuant to motion number M2026-24 and its concurrent adoption of resolution number R2026-17, amending Sound Transit's adopted 2026 budget.

Amending Sound Transit's adopted 2026 budget.

Second.

Moving and seconded.

Any council questions or comments?

Seeing none.

Aye.

I was supposed to say no.

The motion is declared passed.

We have a motion before us for consideration.

I move to authorize the city's full and final settlement of all claims against the city in the matter of TPU claim number W04524, followed by Evelyn and Jose Castellar.

Related to damage to their home located at 39th place Southwest in Federal Way, Washington, arising from a broken water main occurring September 24th, 2024 upon payment by the Tacoma Department of Public Utilities in the amount of nine million seven hundred and seventy-seven thousand eight hundred and sixty-five dollars and fifty-one cents with the total amount paid of one million four hundred and sixty-five thousand six hundred and eighty-nine dollars and seventy-four cents and execution of a release in a form approved by the city attorney.

Second.

Moving seconded, uh Deputy Mayor, friendly uh friendly amendment.

You meant 977,000, not million, right?

Correct.

977,000.

I apologize.

No worries.

Friendly amendment.

All right.

So with that, uh, any uh council questions or comments.

Okay, seeing none, all those in favor of adopting the motion, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Those opposed to say no.

Motion is declared adopted.

Moving on to appointments item six, Clerk, please read.

Resolution number 41970 is the resolution appointing an individual to the Board of Commissioners of the Tacoma Housing Authority.

I move to adopt the resolution number 41970.

Movement seconded.

Um access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is fundamental to a strong, thriving Tacoma, and the Housing Authority plays a vital role uh in that work.

So uh my appointment uh to this is Mr.

Nate Lauver, currently the Secretary Treasurer of the Pierce County Central Labor Council.

Nate brings valuable experience, thoughtful leadership, and a commitment to serving our community.

I am confident that his perspective and labor background will strengthen the board's uh efforts to expand housing opportunities and support residents across Tacoma.

I sincerely appreciate Mr.

Lauver's willingness to serve and thank all of our volunteers who dedicate their time and their expertise to public service.

I respectfully ask the council's uh confirmation of this appointment.

And with that, are there any council questions or comments?

All right, seeing none, all those in favor of adopting resolution number four one nine seven zero, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Those supposed to say no.

Resolution is declared adopted.

I don't see Mr.

Lauver here in the audience, but uh thank you for stepping up and looking forward to uh seeing your work uh along THA's in the community.

Moving on to item seven, clerk, please read.

Resolution number four one nine seven one is the resolution appointing individuals to committees that will repair statements for and against Initiative Measure No.

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

Second.

Movement seconded.

Is there an amendment?

I move to amend resolution 41971 exhibit A line eight by adding the name Michael Mira to the against committee.

Second.

Moving seconded.

Councilmember Hines.

Yes, uh thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

So as many of you know, the way that the Ford and Against Committee works is when something is put forward on the ballot.

The council of the local jurisdiction is allowed to provide up to three names for a for and against committee.

Uh the government forwards and finance committee conducted our interviews last Tuesday for the fore and against committees, and we put forward uh three names for the for committee, Kashana Curtis, William Hanwald, and Tyrone Ty Moore.

Um and for the Against Committee at the Government Formers and Finance Committee, we put forward Ben Lackey and Mark Melzness.

Michael Merritt completed a letter of interest ahead of the two the noon deadline for GPFC, but we were unclear about whether or not he wanted to serve on the committee at that time.

Uh so after confirming that he does want to serve on it, we still have this action this evening which transmits the three names for the forward against committee.

So I am making it a motion to add him to this so that we can transmit his name along with the other five individuals who signed up forward to the auditor for considered to be part of the for and against committee.

And I'm happy to answer any questions if my colleagues have any.

Thank you, Councilmember Hines.

Any questions?

Okay, seeing none, the uh vote before us is the motion to amend resolution number four one nine seven one.

All those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Those supposed to say no.

The motion to amend is declared adopted.

Resolution number four one nine seven one as amended is now before us.

Are there any additional council questions or comments?

Council Hines.

Yeah, I just again uh want to thank the six individuals who are willing to step up and serve the community in this purpose.

I think we in the past we've struggled to get enough people and multiple uh ballot initiative, multiple things before the voters to get a full fore and against committee.

Um and the fact that we have people that are interested in this and want to participate, I think is a good thing.

And uh I want to thank the Government Forms Finance Committee and the members for getting us to this point.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

And uh I just want to say thank you to all six uh committee members for stepping up to represent our community and to help voters become more informed.

So with that, all those in favor of adopting resolution number four one nine seven one as amended, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Those opposed to say no.

The resolution as amended is declared passed.

And we have invited the individuals being appointed tonight to attend the city council meeting virtually or in person.

Uh for those who have stepped forward, I want to say thank you for uh all of you that you do to uh encourage civic participation.

So with that, moving on to resolution item eight, clerk please read.

Resolution number 41972 is a resolution expressing opposition to the passage of initiative measure number IL 261 concerning parental rights relating to their children in public school and initiative measure number IL 26638 concerning participation in athletics at K-12 schools on the Tuesday, November 3, 2026 general election ballot.

I move to adopt resolution number 41972.

Second.

Moving second, I'm gonna call on Councilmember Diaz.

Thank you, Mayor.

This resolution before us expresses our opposition to the passage of initiative measure number IL 26-001 and initiative measure number IL 26-638 on the November 3rd, 2026 general election ballot, as the clerk just read.

Um I want to talk a little bit about what the two initiatives are proposing for voters and then a little bit more about why I think it's really prudent that our um council here takes a position on that.

Um will force schools to hand over sensitive information about child abuse victims to their parents, but contains inadequate safeguards for circumstances where those parents may also be abusers.

This initiative does not allow discourse, just does not allow disclosure to parents who are under criminal, under active criminal investigation for abuse, but does not consider circumstances outside an active criminal investigation, including the complaint stage, or when parents have been charged with or convicted for raping, assaulting, or otherwise harming their own child and mandates their access to sensitive information, including private social work and school counseling records, and this would put kids at greater risk.

By removing record protections, I-001 discourages students facing domestic violence, sexual abuse, or bullying from seeking help from trusted school counselors who would be required to release students' confidential information.

In effect, this would require schools to out LGBT students, putting them in greater risk of bullying and other just societal issues and risks associated with not being able to choose when you tell uh the public about your own identity.

I 638 changes the law to require medical certification, medical sex certification as part of sports physicals for all girls, and bans parents from using birth certificates instead.

It could force tens of thousands of Washington girls each year to undergo genital exams just to play sports.

Right now, students stay fully clothed during sports physicals, but this could change for girls.

Boys are completely exempt exempt from this requirement.

Only girls will be subjected to the medical sex certification and general exams, putting another barrier between girls and sports.

As a council, we're allowed the opportunity to speak against ballot initiatives one time through resolution.

And for that reason, I'm calling on all of you to join me and my co-sponsors, Councilmembers Palmer and Scott in opposing these ballot initiatives.

I think it's really important and critical that Tacoma continue to be a leader on these issues.

Um we have always stood with our LGBTQ families and parents and students and children, and I think this is another example of when we're gonna take that leadership.

Um if we pass this tonight, Tacoma will be the first city in the state to speak on these initiatives, and that matters.

It matters for the kids in our state in Tacoma and for the kids all throughout the state.

So I want to in advance thank all of you for your consideration.

Um my co-sponsors for their willingness to co-sponsor um and um encourage folks to to really take this to heart, think about it, and make sure that we're educating our community around these um pretty heinous initiatives for us.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Diaz, for your leadership.

Any other council comments?

Well, seeing none, the uh motion before us is uh resolution number 41972.

All those in favor of adopting, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

I was supposed to say no.

Resolution is declared adopted.

Thank you.

And I I see uh school board member Keating here.

Thank you for your leadership as well.

All right, with that, moving on to item nine, clerk please read.

Resolution number 41973.

This is the first reading of a resolution amending Rule 8 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council of the City of Tacoma to provide opportunities for organizations to make public requests for presentations at regular meetings of the city council and change the process to make and review presentation requests.

And directing the city manager to create and post an application to request to present at City Council meeting.

I move to adopt resolution number 41973.

Second.

Move and second it.

Councilmember Palmer.

Okay.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

I'm filling in for Councilmember Ramba tonight on this resolution.

So I'll keep my remarks brief.

Is this the right one?

Yes.

Okay, thank you.

Sorry, I was uh reading the the procedure changes.

That's okay.

Um I know she'll have a lot more to say when the next at the next week at the final reading.

Um this item is a resolution to amend Rule 8 and the Council rules of procedure.

Uh the goal of the changes being proposed is to allow community groups to have an opportunity to give presentations to the city council on issues or concerns that impact our city.

We know we have a lot of uh very active groups, very interested groups in in what we're doing here, and a lot of subject matter experts at dedicated organizations, and this really just gives them another opportunity uh to share their insights with the council, and I think Councilmember Rumba for thinking of that.

Um this is again an additional pathway to the community forum and is not like taking anything away.

Um allows community members to speak at greater length on these their issues.

Um this resolution also requests that the city manager create and post an online application for presenting at a council meeting.

Uh I am excited to be a co-sponsor of this item, even if my tone doesn't say that, along with Councilmember Walker.

I hope you will all join us in voting in support of these changes next week during final reading.

Thank you.

All right, thank you, Councilmember Palmer.

Any other council questions or comments?

All right.

Rule 8C of the Rules of Procedure of the Council uh states that all resolutions amending these rules require two readings.

So we'll have a second reading of this on August 4th.

Item 10, Clerk, please read.

Resolution number 41974.

This is the first reading of a resolution amending various rules of the rules of procedure of the Council of the City of Tacoma to clarify language and expectations, remove outdated citations, and revise the agenda order of business as reviewed by the Operational Strategic Strategy and Administrative Committee.

I move to adopt resolution number 41974.

Second.

Thank you.

As uh OSAC Chair, um our committee has been uh discussing changes to council rules since February, and uh this is bringing forward uh recommended uh code cleanup updates to the whole council for consideration.

And uh tonight is the first of two weeks uh two readings uh per our rules.

Uh some proposed changes are technical in nature, driven by other processes, such as the 2024 City Charter Amendment and represent housekeeping items to create accuracy and alignment without significant impact to council's authority, processes, or public access.

Other changes are more substantial and represent a policy direction of the council.

This is particularly true of changes that affect transparency, public participation, council's accountability, or the community's experience about how decisions get made.

Uh the update focuses on four areas council organization, meetings and agendas, council discussion and decision making, and public engagement and transparency.

Are there any council questions or comments?

Councilmember Scott.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I just wanted to take a moment to explain my proposed addition.

Uh the language that I'm seeking to add is in section three regarding council member expectations, and the new language reads at least two weeks in advance of city business related travel outside of Washington State.

The Mayor and City Council must provide a report that includes the travel location itinerary, funding source, and purpose.

As council members, we do travel occasionally outside of the state to attend conferences, engage with our sister cities, evaluate programming uh taking place in other states, and more.

And I believe it's important that council members travel.

Traveling helps us learn from experts around the country, build international ties that foster economic and educational development, and spread the word about our own amazing city.

I also believe that as public figures, our community members have a right to know about our official engagements, whether they take place in Tacoma, another state, or internationally.

Not only do I believe that people have a right to know, but I also think having greater transparency about where we are traveling, who is paying for it, and what we are doing on the trip would help increase belief and trust with the public.

So thank you all for considering that this addition.

Okay, thank you for bringing it forward.

Any other comments, Deputy Mayor?

Uh thank you, Mayor.

Just a quick uh clarification question.

And this is for city sponsored trips, correct?

Correct.

Yeah.

And the reason why I bring it up is sometimes I like to go on vacation outside the state.

So you you'll the community will learn about things that we are doing on their behalf, not necessarily uh where you like to lay on the beach with your family.

Perfect.

I just wanted to clarify that.

Yes.

All right.

Thank you to OSAC members.

Uh this will also be set over for uh our second reading the following week.

All right, moving on to final reading of ordinances.

Item 11, and clerk please read.

Clerk please read.

Ordinance number 29115 is an ordinance amending titles 1 and 10 of the municipal code relating to administration of personnel and public works by amending section 1.06.255, competitive solicitation requirements for supplies and public works, and repealing Chapter 10.27 entitled Small Public Works Contracts in its entirety.

And authorizing the city to leverage a statewide small works roster.

This item was presented last week.

Are there any additional council questions or comments?

Seeing none, clerk call uh please call the roll.

Deputy Mayor Bushnell?

Aye.

Councilmember Diaz.

Aye.

Councilmember Hines.

Aye.

Councilmember Palmer?

Yes.

Councilmember Rumbaugh is absent.

Councilmember Sidalgay?

Aye.

Councilmember Scott?

Aye.

Councilmember Walker is absent.

And Mayor Ibsen.

Aye.

The ordinance is declared passed.

Is there any unfinished business?

Seeing none, City Manager, do you have a report this evening?

Thank you, Mayor Epson.

I have three reports for council this evening.

First one is from the planning commission.

Just want to note for the public that the planning commission will be holding a special will be holding a public hearing on a proposed updates to the city's off-street parking code on Wednesday, August 5th from 5 30 p.m.

This community can attend either in person at the Tacoma Municipal Building or on Zoom.

More information can be found at Tacoma.gov forward slash project forward slash parking code update.

And then my next city manager report is on our efforts for participatory budgeting.

Is this Wednesday, tomorrow, the 29th, from 6 to 7 p.m.

at Wapado Main Wapateau Park at the main picnic shelter on 6500 South Sheridan Avenue?

The city will be collecting ideas for District 5 participatory budgeting project and would like to hear from the community.

Earlier this year, the Washington State Department of Commerce awarded the City of Tacoma $650,000 to help committee members select a $1.6 million capital project that addresses decarbonization and/or climate resiliency.

Participatory budgeting is a democratic process where committee members decide how a portion of the public budget is spent.

Anyone who lives, works, learns, or plays in District 5 may submit a project proposal.

The deadline for submissions is September 30th, 2026.

To learn more, visit Tacoma.gov forward slash PB Tacoma.

And then my last report from our environmental services department.

Solid waste management has added its first fully electric garbage garbage truck to its collection fleet.

This marks an important step towards reducing fleet emissions.

Over time, staff will evaluate its performance across a variety of operating conditions, identifying any operational or maintenance considerations, and use the findings to assess opportunities for expanding electric vehicle use within the solid waste collection fleet.

These are big trucks.

So that's good to celebrate.

Thank you.

That concludes the report.

Thank you, City Manager.

Are there any questions for the city manager?

Council Mr.

Sidalquick.

Thank you, Mayor.

And thank you, City Manager, for the update.

My question is around more detailed conversations that we've started internally around the budget.

We've had a couple of presentations even today that have talked about budget impacts coming up, and we're going to continue those conversations in the weeks and months to come.

My understanding is there may be a potential impact to our budget based on the results of what would happen in November, especially around an initiative.

Do you uh do you have an estimate on what the potential impact could be?

We have for personnel uh training equipment, uh basically the costs of doing business for a uh stand-up of a new department.

Um we are estimating approximately eight to ten million dollars per year.

And this is specifically around the initiative.

Uh I didn't actually say it, the the safe homes for all initiative that would require us to create a new department.

Yes, sir.

Where would we where would that funding come from?

So I would look towards um the general fund to finance these uh efforts.

Um and the biggest costs in the general fund come from police fire and libraries.

Um I would have to make potential offsets and cuts uh within these departments to support this effort.

Uh police fire libraries, there's a little bit on homeless services, there's some we heard today on the courts and and some others as well.

And then um we are required to pass a balanced budget by the end of the year, correct?

Pursuant to RCW, I am um required to bring you a balanced budget proposal.

And the council must pass the balanced budget.

And so we would have a relatively short period of time to make potential updates to to take that into consideration.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Sidalgi.

Any other council questions?

Okay, thank you, City Manager.

Moving on to comments and committee reports of the City Council, I'd like to call on Councilmember Scott, Vice Chair of the Community Vitality and Safety Committee.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh the Community Vitality and Safety Committee has convened twice since the last report.

The committee met on July 9th with an agenda including an informational briefing on the unified regional approach to homelessness in Pierce County from Pierce County Councilmember Janny Hitchen, Chair, and Mary Connolly, policy analyst for the Pierce County Council.

The briefing provided an overview of uh the collaboration that is taking place across the county to launch a unified regional approach to homelessness.

The committee also met on July 23rd with an agenda including informational an informational briefing on current compliance and enforcement procedures for the city's rental housing code and the landlord fairness code initiative.

At this meeting, CVS also interviewed interested parties to fill fill seats on the Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, August 13th.

The committee will receive informational briefings on the work of the Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority as well as the Community Police Advisory Committee over the past year and the work they may be addressing in the coming year.

In addition, the committee will receive a briefing from Chief Emergency Management Officer Taika Odigon on the city's updated comprehensive emergency management plan, which will subsequently be brought to the full council.

That meeting will occur in room 248 of the Tacoma Municipal Building, the one we are in now, and virtual attendance options will be available for the public.

Thank you, Mayor.

That concludes my report.

Thank you, Vice Chair Scott.

Any other council comments?

See none.

Is there a motion to excuse members of the council?

I move to excuse Councilmember Rumba and Councilmember Walker from the meeting tonight.

So move our second.

Moving second.

All those in favor say aye.

I was supposed to say no.

Members are excused.

Is there a motion to adjourn?

I move to adjourn.

Second.

Moving second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Supposed to say no.

We are adjourned.

Good night.