Tacoma City Council Study Session - January 13, 2026

The study session included departmental overviews from the Center for Strategic Priorities and Planning and Development Services, a walk-on presentation regarding a council statement and action on immigration concerns following events in Minneapolis, and an update on the city manager recruitment process. No public comment occurred during this session. The council modified the evening agenda to add a resolution related to the immigration discussion.

Executive Session

• The council voted unanimously to convene a closed executive session (not to exceed 30 minutes) under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)(1) and (2) to discuss potential and pending litigation. The session was held and then the study session reconvened.

Discussion Items

Center for Strategic Priorities Department Overview

• Presenter: Jacques Clone, Director of Office of Strategy, presented an overview of the department, which includes the Office of Strategy, Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability, and the Office of Equity and Human Rights. The center provides guidance, consultation, reporting, research, facilitation, and training to align city operations with Tacoma 2035 strategic goals.
• Key Accomplishments: The recent publication of Tacoma 2035, the city’s 10-year strategic framework; continued work on the Community Safety Action Strategy and Tacoma Anchor Network (a partnership of 13 largest employers focusing on local purchasing and hiring); equity and human rights guidance documents; climate action plan implementation; and grant achievements including over 400 e-bike rebates, distribution of 200 air purifiers, and total grants of $4.3 million for the Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability over three years.
• Budget: 16% from general fund, 84% from internal service fund (ISF) funded by all city departments and utilities. The department has reduced general fund needs by bringing the equity index application in-house and moving the Anchor Network to a shared funding model.
• Council Responses:
  • Councilmember Walker thanked the team for the Anchor Network work and praised the department format.
  • Councilmember Hines raised the issue of 40+ active plans and the need to review, sunset, or update older strategies, referring to them as “zombie initiatives.” He questioned how the retreat would address this. He also asked about the ISF funding model.
  • Deputy Mayor Bushnell emphasized alignment between council work plans, committees/boards/commissions (CBCs), and strategies.
  • Councilmember Palmer inquired about monitoring and reporting frequency for plans like the Climate Action Plan (annual) and Affordable Housing Action Strategy (semi-annual). She requested consideration of monthly updates on urgent topics.
  • Councilmember Rumbaugh cautioned against discarding older plans like AHAS (Affordable Housing Action Strategy) without considering unfinished items such as anti-displacement work.
  • Mayor Ibsen requested a review of Tacoma 2025 progress before the retreat, and staff confirmed one is being prepared by end of January. He also asked about the Anchor Network’s demonstration projects; Clone noted data-sharing agreements with UWT and a project with THA (Meadows Bridge).

Planning and Development Services Department Overview

• Presenter: Peter Huffman, Director of Planning and Development Services (PDS), presented the department’s structure (Planning & Services and Development Services divisions), funding (6-7% general fund, 87% permit enterprise fund), and recent accomplishments including Home and Tacoma, sub-area plans, and housing initiatives.
• Key Current Initiatives: Middle Housing Streamline Permitting Program (launched last week, report due in June); one-year review of Home and Tacoma (coming April 2026); tree code update (under Resolution, due late 2026/early 2027); code enforcement update (CVS in February, full council expected June); and multiple state mandates including Critical Areas Code update (Q1/Q2 2026), special needs housing/daycare, parking code amendments, and building code updates.
• Council Responses:
  • Councilmember Rumbaugh raised concerns about illegal tree removals and enforcement; Huffman said those issues can be addressed through the code enforcement update (CVS) which is more immediate than the broader urban forestry work.
  • Councilmember Walker thanked staff for the comprehensive list and reminded colleagues that new ideas require removing something from the planning commission’s work plan. She questioned how the Critical Areas and Shoreline updates integrate with the Tide Flats sub-area plan; Huffman explained they are state-mandated but allow for policy decisions. She also suggested the council continue to be invited to public meetings.
  • Deputy Mayor Bushnell expressed urgency on code enforcement updates, noting long implementation timelines, and asked about near-term administrative changes. Huffman indicated some administrative improvements have been made (technology) and can be shared.
  • Councilmember Hines clarified that Title 13 (land use) items go to the planning commission; non-Title 13 code changes go directly to council. He advocated for avoiding overwhelming the planning commission by using other code sections when possible.
  • Councilmember Palmer asked about pre-approved townhouse plans ( building on the ADU model) and whether feedback from single-family homeowners would be included in the Home and Tacoma review. Huffman said pre-approved plans are contracted; feedback on Home and Tacoma so far comes from smaller developers and the Master Builders Association, with neighborhood feedback expected later.
  • Mayor Ibsen inquired about pre-approved plans for single-to-multi conversions (e.g., condominiumization); Huffman said they are taking “baby steps” with ADUs and townhouses but are open to explore further. The mayor also asked about short plat timelines (Huffman cited 60-105 days) and the role of AI in permitting (deferring to citywide AI policy discussions). He raised the possibility of fee-in-lieu for off-site improvements; Huffman noted ongoing conversations with public works and environmental services.

Walk-On Presentation: Immigration Response

• Presenters: Councilmembers Saldaka, Diaz, and Palmer introduced a draft council statement and a Council Action Memo (CAM) in response to a “horrific incident” in Minneapolis about a week prior.
• Statement: Reaffirms Tacoma as a welcoming city, supports all residents, and condemns actions that threaten immigrant communities. The council seeks unanimous support to place it on the evening agenda for a vote.
• CAM: Directs the city manager to create a single web page consolidating information on city work regarding the Northwest Detention Center, legal resources, local services, and civic education about city jurisdiction. The CAM emphasizes intentional outreach to affected communities.
• Councilmember Saldaka noted the need to work within legal authority and acknowledged fear in the community.
• Councilmember Diaz highlighted public demand for resources and the importance of educating the public on what the city can and cannot do.
• Councilmember Palmer thanked colleagues for collaboration.
• Deputy Mayor Bushnell and Mayor Ibsen expressed support, with Bushnell noting the need to condemn actions and reassure the public of city values.

City Manager Recruitment Update

• Presenter: Ben Thurgood (OSAC liaison) and Cheryl Bidelman (Assistant HR Director).
• OSAC Work: Three initiatives: city manager recruitment, retreat planning (February 20, 2026), and council staffing (reviewing 2024 charter amendment, deferring to 27-28 budget process).
• Recruitment Details: 71 applications received; 17 met minimum qualifications; executive recruiter Prothman conducted initial interviews and will provide candidate summaries by late next week. Virtual interviews are planned for the first two weeks of February; in-person interviews late February. Interview panels will include council, city leadership, and community panels. Finalists will make public presentations, and the public can provide feedback. Staff will return to the January 27 council meeting with more details.
• Councilmember Walker praised the public video and noted the separate public comment opportunity. She cautioned about managing the list of community panelists (60+ names; need ~20).
• Councilmember Hines asked for better communication from OSAC to non-members; Mayor Ibsen suggested directing concerns to him as OSAC chair.
• Councilmember Rumbaugh expressed feeling left out as a non-OSAC member; Councilmember Scott reminded that meetings are open and recorded.
• Councilmember Diaz asked for the application window (opened November 14, 5-week window; still accepting but pending initial evaluations). She also asked about the community panelist list; Walker said a survey will be sent to council to narrow it down.
• Councilmember Palmer inquired about the feedback process (both before and after interviews) and stressed the importance of community vetting.

Agenda Modifications

• Two modifications to the evening agenda: removal of Ordinance 29091 (water regulations) and addition of a resolution related to the immigration statement discussed during the study session.

Key Outcomes

• The council voted unanimously to convene an executive session (duration not to exceed 30 minutes).
• The council will consider and vote on the immigration statement and CAM at the evening council meeting.
• The city manager recruitment process: Prothman will deliver candidate summaries by late January; virtual interviews in early February; in-person interviews and public presentations in late February. The public will have multiple opportunities to provide input.
• The council retreat is scheduled for February 20, 2026, with agenda development led by Jacques Clone.
• OSAC will continue work on council staffing (deferred to 27-28 budget), council processes (action memos, contingency requests, meeting procedures), and the city manager work plan update (from Interim City Manager Kim).
• No formal decisions were made on code enforcement updates, Home and Tacoma amendments, or planning commission priorities; these will be addressed in upcoming committee and council meetings.