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Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting - November 3, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, November 3, 2026
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, November 3, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Unassigned speaker

0:01

I'd

Speaker 1

0:02

like to call to order the city council meeting of November 3rd, 2026.

0:06

Clerk, please call the roll.

Speaker 2

0:07

Deputy Mayor Blushnell.

0:09

Councilmember Diaz.

0:11

Councilmember Hines.

0:12

Councilmember Palmer.

0:14

Councilmember Rumba?

0:15

Here.

0:15

Councilmember Sidalgay?

Speaker 3

0:17

Here.

Speaker 2

0:17

Councilmember Scott.

Unassigned speaker

0:19

Here.

Speaker 2

0:20

Councilmember Walker.

0:23

Here.

0:24

Mayor Ibsen.

Speaker 1

0:25

Here.

0:26

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

Unassigned speaker

0:32

We

Speaker 4

0:32

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

0:38

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

Unassigned speaker

1:13

Are

Speaker 1

1:13

there any modifications to the agenda this evening?

1:16

Council Walker.

1:20

Someone chimed in.

1:23

Okay.

1:26

Okay, no modifications, just uh just a microphone error.

1:29

All right.

1:30

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

1:32

Is there a motion?

1:32

I move to adopt a consent agenda, including resolution number 42055.

Speaker 5

1:36

Second.

Speaker 1

1:37

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

1:40

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

1:44

Aye.

1:45

Supposed to say no.

1:46

Consent agenda is declared adopted.

1:48

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

1:51

We have two this evening.

1:52

We have two ceremonials.

1:54

The first is Diwali, uh, the Festival of Lights.

1:57

Um for Diwali, I'd like to uh invite our uh council uh excuse me, Council Sumet um from the Office of the Council General General of India, Seattle office, and Saya Jamal, Chair of the Tacoma Kochi Committee for the Tacoma Sister Cities, as Councilmember Sidalgay reads the proclamation.

Speaker 3

2:16

Feel free to come up uh please stop right

Speaker 1

2:19

over there while I

Speaker 3

2:19

read

Unassigned speaker

2:20

this.

Speaker 3

2:21

Um whereas Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant and cherished celebrations for millions of people around the world, including many residents of the city of Tacoma.

2:33

And whereas in December of last year, the Diwali was officially added to UNESCO's representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity, recognizing its significant social and festive tradition of India.

2:49

And whereas Diwali holds deep cultural, historical and spiritual significance, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.

3:02

And whereas the observance of Diwali brings family and communities together through traditions that include lighting lamps, sharing meals, exchanging goodwill, and participating in acts of service and reflection.

3:15

And whereas Washington is home to a vibrant and rapidly growing Indian community whose cultural heritage enriches the social, economic, and civic fabric of our city, and whereas formally recognizing Diwali reflects Washington's ongoing commitment to honoring the diverse communities and strengths, our city, and strengths of our city and contributes to its spirit of inclusion, understanding, and mutual respect.

3:44

And whereas the Consulate General of India, Seattle, which recently established its presence in the region, continues to foster people-to-people ties between India and the United States, strengthening cultural bonds celebrated through shared traditions such as Diwali.

4:01

Now, therefore, I, Sindeshadogi, Councilmember of the City of Tacoma, on behalf of the mayor of the City of Tacoma and the rest of the council, do hereby proclaim Sunday, November 8th, 2026, as Diwali, the Festival of Lights Day in the City of Tacoma, and encourage all residents to join in recognizing the cultural rich richness, community contributions, and enduring values celebrated during this important festival.

Unassigned speaker

4:31

Thank

Speaker 1

4:31

you, Councilmember.

4:32

Mr.

4:32

Consul, uh Mr.

4:33

Jamal, are there any words you'd like to

Unassigned speaker

4:34

say?

Speaker 6

4:36

From here?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Engagement████████████████████████24%
Procedural███████████████████19%
Homelessness███████████████15%
Public Comment███████████11%
Multicultural Center███████7%
Economic Development██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
International Relations████4%
Domestic Violence Awareness████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Meeting - November 3, 2026

The Tacoma City Council met on November 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The meeting included a consent agenda, proclamations honoring Diwali and community leader Tim Fairley, public comments on a holiday market resolution, and adoption of resolutions related to labor agreements, emergency food access, and downtown activation. Several ordinances were also addressed.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution 42055: Setting Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at no earlier than 5:15 PM as the date for a public hearing on proposed amendments to Title 13 (off-street parking code updates). Adopted unanimously.

Proclamations & Recognitions

  • Diwali Proclamation: Councilmember Sidalgay read a proclamation declaring Sunday, November 8, 2026, as Diwali – The Festival of Lights Day in Tacoma. Councilmember Sidalgay and representatives from the Consulate General of India and the Tacoma Sister Cities Committee spoke about the cultural significance of Diwali. A ceremonial lamp lighting took place.
  • Tim Fairley Recognition: The council recognized Tim Fairley for his extensive civic leadership and advocacy, particularly with neighborhood councils and homelessness initiatives. Multiple council members and community leaders (Andy Hogue, Tom Ebeno, Councilmember Rumbaugh, Devin Isaacson) spoke about his relentless energy, outreach, and impact on the community. A certificate of appreciation was presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jason Gouthier (District 4 resident, Tacoma Farmers Market board member): Expressed strong support for Resolution 42058 (holiday market contingency funds), citing the positive impact of market activations on downtown and local businesses.
  • David Shroudell (Downtown Tacoma Partnership): Supported Resolution 42058, noting alignment with the city's downtown revitalization playbook and that this year's ask is smaller than last year’s for an expanded program.
  • JD Oakwis (Downtown Tacoma Partnership, Director of Placemaking): Thanked council and emphasized that the holiday market aims to bring the entire community downtown and support businesses across all council districts.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 42056: Authorized a Letter of Agreement with Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17, for pay adjustments for Road Use Compliance Officer and Road Use Compliance Supervisor classifications. The roles will assume right-of-way enforcement and automated traffic safety program duties previously held by the Tacoma Police Union. Top-step pay is set at 45% above Parking Enforcement Officer top rate for Road Use Compliance Officer, and 10% above that for Supervisor. Adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution 42057: Authorized a one-time use of $10,000 from Council Contingency Funds for emergency food access at the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center, supporting survivors of domestic violence. Funds will stock cupboards with groceries and instant meals for clients. Councilmember Rumbaugh noted plans to partner with food networks for sustainable supply. Adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution 42058: Authorized a one-time use of $30,000 from Council Contingency Funds to support the Downtown Tacoma Holiday Market (December 11-12, 2026), organized by Downtown Tacoma Partnership. The market expands from a single-day to a two-day activation, building on a successful 2025 launch. Councilmember Rumbaugh stated the request includes a commitment not to ask for funds next year and to seek alternative funding sources. Adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinance 29124 (Final Reading): Granted a non-exclusive 10-year telecommunications franchise to MCImetro Access Transmission Services LLC. Passed with 8 ayes (Councilmember Diaz absent).
  • Ordinance 29132 (First Reading): Would implement rates of pay and compensation for employees represented by Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17. Set over for final reading at a subsequent meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • All resolutions were adopted unanimously with the following votes: Resolution 42055 (consent agenda, aye all), Resolution 42056 (ayes all), Resolution 42057 (ayes all), Resolution 42058 (ayes all).
  • Ordinance 29124 passed 8-0 (Councilmember Diaz absent).
  • Ordinance 29132 placed on final reading for next meeting.
  • The council encouraged residents to vote before the 8:00 PM deadline, noting drop box locations.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call to order the city council meeting of November 3rd, 2026. Clerk, please call the roll. Deputy Mayor Blushnell. Councilmember Diaz. Councilmember Hines. Councilmember Palmer. Councilmember Rumba? Here. Councilmember Sidalgay? Here. Councilmember Scott. Here. Councilmember Walker. Here. Mayor Ibsen. Here. Please join me in listening to the land acknowledgement and flag salute led by Councilmember Hines, followed by a moment of silence. We gratefully honor and acknowledge that we rest in the traditional lands of the Pial 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. Are there any modifications to the agenda this evening? Council Walker. Someone chimed in. Okay. Okay, no modifications, just uh just a microphone error. All right. Seeing none, we're gonna move on to the consent agenda. Is there a motion? I move to adopt a consent agenda, including resolution number 42055. Second. Moving second, are there any questions, comments, or corrections? Seeing none, all those in favor of adopting the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Supposed to say no. Consent agenda is declared adopted. Moving on to proclamations, recognitions, presentations, and announcements. We have two this evening. We have two ceremonials. The first is Diwali, uh, the Festival of Lights. Um for Diwali, I'd like to uh invite our uh council uh excuse me, Council Sumet um from the Office of the Council General General of India, Seattle office, and Saya Jamal, Chair of the Tacoma Kochi Committee for the Tacoma Sister Cities, as Councilmember Sidalgay reads the proclamation. Feel free to come up uh please stop right over there while I read this. Um whereas Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant and cherished celebrations for millions of people around the world, including many residents of the city of Tacoma. And whereas in December of last year, the Diwali was officially added to UNESCO's representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity, recognizing its significant social and festive tradition of India. And whereas Diwali holds deep cultural, historical and spiritual significance, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. And whereas the observance of Diwali brings family and communities together through traditions that include lighting lamps, sharing meals, exchanging goodwill, and participating in acts of service and reflection.

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