Tacoma City Council Study Session - August 12, 2025

The City Council study session convened on August 12, 2025, at 12:00 PM. Due to the absence of Mayor Woodards (who attended virtually later) and Deputy Mayor Daniels, Councilmember Hines was appointed presiding officer. The session covered three major briefing items: the South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District Code Update, the Tideflats Subarea Plan, and a proposal to create "Emerging Leader" seats on city committees, boards, and commissions. No votes were taken on substantive items, but direction was given for next steps.

Discussion Items

• South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District Code Update – Senior Planners Maryam Moeinian and Stephen Atkinson, joined by staff from Tacoma Water and Environmental Services, presented proposed updates to the overlay zone. The update strengthens protections by aligning with the Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas (CARA) designation, adding wellhead protection time-of-travel zones (1-year and 10-year), and introducing a tiered approach to high-impact uses. A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) by Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department found that residents in the district are more vulnerable to environmental health risks than others in Pierce County. The update also expands outreach, adds enforcement tools (stop-work orders), and requires new landscaping and impervious surface limits. Councilmembers Bushnell, Walker, Rumbaugh, Scott, and Hines asked about best available science, non-conforming uses, parcel boundary issues, and enforcement timelines. Staff noted that existing non-conforming uses can continue with improvements, and that enforcement is currently handled through annual inspections by the health department and stormwater source control groups. The public hearing for this item was scheduled for the evening of August 12.

• Tideflats Subarea Plan – Planning Commission Findings of Fact and Recommendations – Planning and Development Services staff, joined by Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, presented the draft subarea plan developed over seven years in collaboration with the Puyallup Tribe, Port of Tacoma, Pierce County, and the City of Fife. The plan includes a new zoning framework, environmental and health protections, and 106 action items. The Planning Commission forwarded unanimous recommendations to the council, including four plan amendments (e.g., expanding seaport conservancy zoning to Little Marsh, increasing job targets to 20,000 by 2050, pre-approved restoration plans, and pedestrian overpasses near potential light rail stations) and four code amendments (limiting expansions of non-conforming uses in sensitive areas, code cleanups, and adjustments for transit-oriented development). The Health Department’s HIA recommended prioritizing 28 action items and 9 transportation projects, and suggested special use standards such as a 500-foot residential buffer from heavily trafficked roads, air filtration for new housing, and covering stockpiles. Councilmembers Bushnell, Walker, and the Deputy Mayor discussed port flexibility for tree canopy, clean fuel production definitions, and scheduling. The council will hold a committee of the whole on September 9 to finalize amendments for a 45-day public comment period, with a public hearing set for October 28.

• Council Consideration Request – Emerging Leader Seats – Councilmember Rumbaugh introduced a proposal to rename and standardize youth seats on eight committees, boards, and commissions as “Emerging Leader” seats for individuals aged 16–24. The proposal arose from difficulty filling youth seats and seeks to make participation more attractive and professional. It standardizes a one-year term, requires council committee interview and full council appointment, and directs the City Manager to explore partnerships (e.g., with the Mayor’s Youth Commission) for cohort events and mentorship. No additional funding is allocated. The proposal will return for a vote in late September after the Tacoma Arts Commission decides whether to repurpose a seat. Councilmember Walker expressed support and asked about sustaining engagement; Councilmember Diaz asked about residency requirements and age limits. Staff indicated capacity to support the effort through existing resources.

Key Outcomes

• South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District Code Update: The public hearing was held that evening (August 12). Council will debrief on August 19, with first reading of the ordinance on August 26 and final reading on September 9 (before the moratorium expires September 20).
• Tideflats Subarea Plan: Council will meet on September 9 to identify amendments for public review, with a 45-day comment period leading to an October 28 public hearing. Final adoption is expected in November/December.
• Emerging Leader Seats: Council accepted the proposal for further refinement; a final vote is planned for late September after receiving input from the Tacoma Arts Commission on September 8.
• Executive Session: The council convened an executive session for 30 minutes to discuss pending litigation (RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)).
• Appointments: Councilmember Hines was appointed presiding officer for the meeting due to the mayor’s virtual attendance and the deputy mayor’s late arrival.