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Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Study Session: Courts, Smelter Plume, Property Code, and Worker Support – July 28, 2026

City Council Study Session — Tuesday, July 28, 2026
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council Study Session
DateTuesday, July 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:24:03

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:09

Clerk, please call the roll.

0:11

Deputy Mayor Bush now.

0:12

Present.

0:13

Councilmember Diaz.

0:14

Here.

0:14

Councilmember Heinz.

0:16

Councilmember Palmer is absent.

0:19

Councilmember Rumbach?

0:20

Here.

0:20

Councilmember Sadalgay?

0:22

Here.

0:22

Councilmember Scott.

0:24

Councilmember Walker is absent.

0:26

And Mayor Ibsen.

0:27

Here.

0:28

Our first agenda item is the state of the courts.

0:30

I'd like to call on Tacoma Municipal Court Judge Steven Krupa to begin our presentation.

0:36

What do you want me, Mayor?

0:38

Oh, wherever.

0:39

Usually we have people uh seated with us.

0:42

Don't be shy.

0:59

Well I'm the committee chair.

1:03

Welcome, Your Honor.

1:05

It is kind of low.

1:18

Okay, so I gotta push this when I'm talking.

1:21

You're all good.

1:22

Please proceed.

1:22

And this will work to move forward.

1:26

Okay, let me know when you're ready, so you're good.

1:29

Okay, so I don't have to push it.

1:31

I'm good.

1:32

All right.

1:33

Good uh afternoon, I guess everybody.

1:35

You all know me.

1:37

I'm the uh committee chair for those of you out there and Zoom land or wherever that don't know me.

1:44

I'm the committee chair for the Tacoma Municipal Court.

1:48

Um, and of course, I have my wonderful staff here and the other judges.

1:52

So today, of course, is a state of court.

1:55

Uh you saw the uh Cam memo talking about uh what we hope to uh give you here.

2:01

Um but let's just cut right to our mission statement.

2:07

And I guess the most important thing I want to uh stress to you guys is what's our job as the Tacoma Municipal Court is to serve the public and to make our uh city safer.

2:17

Okay.

2:18

And really the only way, the only way to make our city safer is to change behavior.

2:24

Um that's what we're talking about when we're talking about uh compassionate accountability and providing a therapeutic justice, uh a therapeutic uh approach to justice.

2:35

And you know, we have the tools, we have the mechanisms, we have the forums to steer people towards the services that they need so that we can do what we want to do again, uh serve our public and make our city safer.

2:48

Okay.

2:49

So, folks, a threshold issue here because there's some things we can't do, and this is our civics, our civics lesson.

2:58

Uh three branches of government.

2:59

Of course, we're all uh separate.

3:02

Um, and you know, there's a separation of powers doctrine.

3:06

So while we're partners, you guys, us, uh the executive branch in uh in this quest.

3:14

Um there are some things that we can do and some things that we simply can't do, and we can't weigh in on.

3:20

So, I mean, obviously, we can't tell you what laws to pass.

3:23

We can't tell you what laws to enforce.

3:26

We can't tell you uh how to make prosecutorial decisions or how to deal with your cases.

3:32

Um that's an executive branch and I guess a legislative decision you guys were together.

3:37

But I want to tell you that we are here to help.

3:40

Um we are here uh because we have the forums and through our therapeutic approach, we believe that we can make a difference, and we're here to answer questions and to work with you uh in conjunction.

3:52

It's just important that we understand there's some things that we just simply can't get involved in because we're the judicial branch.

4:00

Okay, I think you all know these folks.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Code Enforcement████████████████████████████████████36%
Public Safety███████████████████████23%
Environmental Protection███████████████████19%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Public Health████4%
Mental Health Awareness███3%
Data Management██2%
Procedural█1%
Technology and Innovation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Study Session: Courts, Smelter Plume, Property Code, and Worker Support – July 28, 2026

The Tacoma City Council held a study session on July 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM to discuss the state of the municipal courts, an annual update on the Tacoma Smelter Plume, and a proposal to modernize property maintenance and enforcement. The council also considered a letter of support for workers at a local business seeking to bargain collectively. Key discussions focused on funding needs for court services, the progress and future of smelter plume cleanup, and the adoption of a new international property maintenance code with tiered enforcement options. No formal votes were taken; direction was sought for future action.

Discussion Items

1. State of the Courts

  • Judge Steven Krupa presented on the Tacoma Municipal Court's mission to serve the public and improve safety through therapeutic justice and compassionate accountability. He highlighted the court's limited jurisdiction over misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and civil infractions.
  • Statistics showed significant increases in criminal filings: estimated 33.2% total criminal increase from 2024 to 2026, with domestic violence charges up 71.9% and DUI charges up 274%. Infractions are also rising due to photo enforcement.
  • The court operates a therapeutic court model, including Community Court (statewide recognized) and Behavioral Health Court, with 95% completion of Blake-related cases. Recidivism rates are low for those in therapeutic courts.
  • A new Court Support Services Unit (CSSU) for supervision (formerly probation) is being built, led by Christine (hired from Pierce County). The court requested under $1 million over the biennium for additional staff: a court support services specialist (probation officer), a peer support specialist, an IT analyst, and a computer support tech. Suggested funding sources include the public safety sales tax, opioid settlement funds, or other unspecified sources.
  • Council members asked about capacity (both courts can take more referrals), the high two-thirds decline rate for therapeutic court referrals, and the need for better data on barriers. Council emphasized the importance of the therapeutic model as part of a broader public safety strategy.
  • Key outcome: Council expressed support for scaling successful programs and requested a forthcoming annual report with more detailed data on referral declines and recidivism savings. No funding decision was made.

2. Tacoma Smelter Plume Annual Update

  • Justin Zakoren (Dept. of Ecology) presented with Esther Beaumier and Chris Matter (Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.) and Sarah Miller (outreach). The plume, from the former ASARCO smelter, covers a large area. Ecology holds ~$30 million remaining from the $95 million settlement.
  • Yard Program: 415 properties cleaned, 22 in cleanup, 46 planned, 576 remaining; 133 opted out. 13% of sampled properties qualify (arsenic >100 ppm or lead >500 ppm). 75% of sampled properties are above the state cleanup level (20 ppm) but below 100 ppm, thus ineligible for funded cleanup.
  • Soil Safety Program: 7 parks, 8 child care centers, 9 schools, 27 in-home daycares cleaned. Health department outreach: 175 home soil tests, 5 schools with hand-washing presentations (609 students), 25 community garden signs.
  • Discussion on seller disclosure: Ecology sent a memo to Speaker Jenkins (no response) about adding a resource to real estate Form 17, but realtor groups opposed due to concerns about transaction leverage. Councilmember Rumbaugh volunteered to pursue legislation with state representatives.
  • Developer engagement: Ecology met with Tacoma planning staff to discuss a Federal Way-style ordinance requiring soil sampling/cleanup for development permits. Ecology also works on a flyer/QR code for permit applicants.
  • Funding outlook: At current pace (50 properties/year), funds may last ~6 more years; approximately 250 qualifying properties will remain uncleaned when funds run out. Council emphasized continued legislative advocacy for additional funding.
  • Council questions covered Point Defiance Park (child play area and dog park sampled; mulch recommended for off-leash area), the possibility of lowering the 100 ppm threshold (not feasible with current funds), and the need for more testing requirements for development.
  • Key outcome: Council directed continued efforts on disclosure and developer engagement; Councilmember Rumbaugh will pursue the Form 17 amendment.

3. Property Maintenance and Enforcement Modernization

  • Councilmember Rumbaugh introduced the item, noting years of work by the Community Vitality and Safety committee. Peter Huffman (PDS) and Mindy Weber presented.
  • The current code enforcement team has 3 inspectors and 1 supervisor for the entire city, responding to 4,000-4,500 complaints annually. Backlog: 740 open cases, over 2,000 complaints awaiting first inspection. Staffing dropped from 9 inspectors in 2016 to 3 now. Average initial inspection response time has increased from 5 days (2021-2022) to 15 days.
  • Proposal: Adopt the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), which broadens enforcement authority, allows higher/ faster penalties, and consolidates case types. This would align Tacoma with neighboring jurisdictions.
  • Three enforcement tiers were presented:
    • Tier 1: Add 1 inspector, 2 admin staff; stabilize backlog, no proactive enforcement; ~$0.9M recurring + ~$0.5M startup.
    • Tier 2: Add 3 inspectors, 2 admin staff; 25-30% faster response, 150-250 proactive cases/year; cost unspecified.
    • Tier 3: Add 5 inspectors, 3 admin staff; 50% faster response, 400 proactive cases/year; cost unspecified.
  • Additional legal support from City Attorney and Hearing Examiner would be needed for any tier; costs are being assessed.
  • Council members expressed broad support for IPMC adoption. Preferences on tiers varied: Councilmember Scott leaned toward Tier 1, Councilmember Hines and Deputy Mayor Bush favored Tier 2, citing the need for proactive enforcement for health and safety (e.g., sidewalks, school routes). Councilmember Diaz noted budget constraints but supported Tier 2. Councilmember Palmer asked for more data on penalty collections (<10% of assessed civil penalties collected) and suggested automation of some processes.
  • Repeat offender framework: two violations in 12 months triggers repeat offender status; proposed three violations/year would escalate penalties. Council discussed the importance of distinguishing between owner-occupied and investor-owned properties, and voluntary vs. non-voluntary compliance. Mayor Ibsen suggested exploring connections to the provisional rental licensing system.
  • Key outcome: Council provided direction to proceed with IPMC adoption and to bring back a draft code for study session in late September, with case studies. Council will consider funding in the budget; the city manager's office recommended Tier 1 as the initial budget request, but council feedback leaned toward Tier 2.

4. Letter to The Herbal Gardens Management

  • Councilmember Diaz presented a letter of support for workers at The Herbal Gardens, a cannabis retailer, who are bargaining for a union contract. A copy was sent earlier to support an earlier meeting. Council expressed unanimous support for collective bargaining rights. The letter will be finalized with signatures from the full council.
  • Key outcome: Council approved sending the letter.

Key Outcomes

  • State of the Courts: No formal vote; council requested a detailed annual report with data on referral declines and recidivism savings. Future funding decisions will be part of budget discussions.
  • Tacoma Smelter Plume: Council endorsed continued legislative advocacy for disclosure and cleanup funding. Councilmember Rumbaugh will pursue a Form 17 amendment. Ecology will continue working with planning staff on developer engagement.
  • Property Maintenance Code: Council expressed strong support for adopting the IPMC and requested a draft code with case studies for a September study session. While no final decision was made, council feedback leaned toward Tier 2 enforcement (3 additional inspectors, 2 admin, 25-30% faster response, and 150-250 proactive cases). The budget request will be refined accordingly.
  • Herbal Gardens Letter: Council approved the letter of support for workers' collective bargaining.

Meeting Transcript

Clerk, please call the roll. Deputy Mayor Bush now. Present. Councilmember Diaz. Here. Councilmember Heinz. Councilmember Palmer is absent. Councilmember Rumbach? Here. Councilmember Sadalgay? Here. Councilmember Scott. Councilmember Walker is absent. And Mayor Ibsen. Here. Our first agenda item is the state of the courts. I'd like to call on Tacoma Municipal Court Judge Steven Krupa to begin our presentation. What do you want me, Mayor? Oh, wherever. Usually we have people uh seated with us. Don't be shy. Well I'm the committee chair. Welcome, Your Honor. It is kind of low. Okay, so I gotta push this when I'm talking. You're all good. Please proceed. And this will work to move forward. Okay, let me know when you're ready, so you're good. Okay, so I don't have to push it. I'm good. All right. Good uh afternoon, I guess everybody. You all know me. I'm the uh committee chair for those of you out there and Zoom land or wherever that don't know me. I'm the committee chair for the Tacoma Municipal Court. Um, and of course, I have my wonderful staff here and the other judges. So today, of course, is a state of court. Uh you saw the uh Cam memo talking about uh what we hope to uh give you here. Um but let's just cut right to our mission statement. And I guess the most important thing I want to uh stress to you guys is what's our job as the Tacoma Municipal Court is to serve the public and to make our uh city safer. Okay. And really the only way, the only way to make our city safer is to change behavior. Um that's what we're talking about when we're talking about uh compassionate accountability and providing a therapeutic justice, uh a therapeutic uh approach to justice. And you know, we have the tools, we have the mechanisms, we have the forums to steer people towards the services that they need so that we can do what we want to do again, uh serve our public and make our city safer. Okay. So, folks, a threshold issue here because there's some things we can't do, and this is our civics, our civics lesson. Uh three branches of government. Of course, we're all uh separate. Um, and you know, there's a separation of powers doctrine.

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