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Record of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Study Session: United Way & Tourism Update – Sept 15, 2026

City Council Study Session — Tuesday, September 15, 2026
BodyTacoma, Washington
SessionCity Council Study Session
DateTuesday, September 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:09:47

Original source
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0:04

Good afternoon.

0:04

I'd like to call to order the City Council study session of September 15th, 2026.

0:09

Clerk, please call the roll.

0:10

Deputy Mayor Bushnell.

0:12

Present.

0:12

Councilmember Diaz, absent Councilmember Heinz?

0:15

Here.

0:15

Councilmember Palmer.

0:17

Councilmember Rumba?

0:18

Here.

0:18

Councilmember Sidalgay?

0:20

Here.

0:20

Councilmember Scott?

0:22

Here.

0:22

Councilmember Scott is virtual.

0:24

Councilmember Walker?

0:25

Here.

0:26

Mayor Ibsen.

0:27

Here.

0:28

Welcome everyone.

0:29

Our first agenda item is a presentation from the United Way.

0:32

I'd like to call on United Way President and CEO Donna Pontipento to begin the presentation.

0:37

Welcome.

0:46

Good morning.

0:47

Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to present.

0:51

I'm again I'm Donna Ponapinto and President CEO of United Way, and with me I have Lynn Willis, who is the director of family financial stability initiatives.

1:00

And we do have one other person joining us, I think as he makes his way down to the council chambers.

1:07

So I'm just going to begin by giving you, it's been a while, first of all, and I want to give you an update on United Way.

1:15

I've had a chance to meet with most of you, and I'm still trying to set up some meetings with some of you as well, but I try to make sure every year that I'm touching base with our uh elected officials.

1:29

So United Way of Pierce County, we have a uh, let's see.

1:39

Back in 2015, we decided we landed on a bold goal for lifting 15,000 families out of poverty by 2028.

1:47

And to date, we're at 14,800 households that have moved from a place of crisis to self-sufficiency.

1:55

Uh and we know that, you know, we're even though we'll make that 15,000, that there will be 15,000 more, and there will be 15,000 more after that.

2:06

And so the work continues.

2:09

Uh we have been around for over 105 years and have invested uh over seven million uh back into the community uh back into the community since uh uh since twenty in 207.8 million, I'm sorry, into the community in 2025.

2:28

And over 359 million back into the community uh since 19 uh I may need your help, Ashley, since I don't know how to use a remote.

2:54

Uh so Alice, I think everyone here is familiar with Alice uh and the Alice data.

3:00

Uh we just um the report was released back in May with using the 2024 uh census information, and so what we know is that over a hundred thousand uh households in Pierce County are Alice, and then there's another 34,000 that are below the federal poverty level.

3:21

Uh so you know you've got 134,000 households out of the Pierce County households that are struggling to make uh ends meet.

3:29

And Alice, uh for I think all of you know what that stands for, but asset limited income constrained employed, and these are the households that are uh above the poverty federal poverty level, but again, don't have enough money to um take care of their basic needs.

3:46

Uh and about 37 percent live um below that Alice threshold.

3:52

Uh when you look at uh income levels, for instance, minimum household income for a single head of household of Alice families is sixty-seven thousand, and for a family with two adults with children in child care, the survival that's just the survival budget is 127 uh thousand dollars.

4:11

So if you think about that for a minute, uh and you think about how many um uh of the jobs you know are are sometimes 20 dollars or less.

4:22

Uh and even if you're 40 dollars uh an hour, you're still and you have two children in child care, you're still uh struggling.

4:32

So you can go to the next one.

4:34

So this is just another way to look at uh this particular information.

4:39

You've got 124,000 households uh in the 2023 census, and then you uh again with the 2024 census, there's a hundred and thirty four uh thousand families that are atlas all right, you can go to the next one.

5:01

Okay.

5:05

All right, you can go to the next one.

5:08

So demographic hardships.

5:10

Groups with the highest rates of hardship in the in the county starts with African American black households.

5:20

And I did send you a snapshot of the Alice County report for Pierce County in your package, so you have more detail that you can focus in on when you get a chance.

5:33

But with the African American households and just communities and colors with African Americans, 30 uh 49 percent of the black households in Pierce County are Alice.

5:47

The under 25 households are growing.

5:53

They're at, I believe they're about 50 percent of the uh under 25 households are Alice, and then single female head of households with children uh based again on the 24th census is 71 percent.

6:09

So 71 percent of the female head of households in Pierce County are Alice.

6:16

And that's up from last the 23 census, where it was in the 50 percent range.

6:23

So that's pretty significant, and something that we're looking at, and we also look at it in terms of uh just the types of um investments that we are making uh out in community.

6:36

So again, here's a graphic.

6:39

Uh the information that I provided to you uh has the percentages noted uh so that you're able to see the other racial and um ethnic areas.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████████████████████████████████43%
Tourism Promotion███████████████████████23%
Public Finance███████7%
Procedural█████5%
Child Care█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Racial Equity███3%
Affordable Housing██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Tacoma City Council Study Session: United Way & Tourism Update – Sept 15, 2026

The Tacoma City Council held a study session on September 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM. The meeting included a presentation from the United Way of Pierce County on poverty alleviation programs and a briefing on the proposed amended interlocal agreement for the Pierce County Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). The council also reviewed the city manager's weekly report and approved several ceremonial proclamations. No formal votes were taken during the study session; the TPA agreement was scheduled for the evening consent agenda.

Consent Calendar

  • No consent calendar items were discussed during the study session. (The agenda noted that the TPA item would appear on the evening consent agenda as Resolution 42017.)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the study session; one opportunity for public comment was noted for the evening regular meeting regarding motions, resolutions, and ordinances.

Discussion Items

  • United Way of Pierce County Presentation:

    • Dona Ponepinto, President and CEO of United Way of Pierce County, presented updates on the organization's work. Key highlights included:
      • A goal set in 2015 to lift 15,000 families out of poverty by 2028; to date, 14,800 households have moved from crisis to self-sufficiency.
      • Over 105 years of operation, United Way has invested over $7.8 million back into the community in 2025 and over $359 million since its founding.
      • The ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) data report using 2024 census data showed that over 100,000 households in Pierce County are ALICE, and another 34,000 are below the federal poverty level, totaling 134,000 struggling households. 37% of households live below the ALICE threshold.
      • Demographic hardships: 49% of African American/Black households are ALICE; 50% of under-25 households; 71% of single female-headed households with children (up from 50% in the 2023 census); and 50% of Native American households.
      • In 2025, United Way provided 10.3 million meals, helped 724 households stay in their homes, and moved 665 people into stable housing.
      • The "Centers for Strong Families" program (begun in 2016, in partnership with the city) integrates employment coaching, financial coaching, and income supports. Over 5,200 individuals have participated since 2016, with an average increase in monthly income of $2,300 and an average hourly rate of $25 (fluctuates, latest $19).
      • In Tacoma (three locations: Goodwill, Sound Outreach, Tacoma Community House), since 2025 over 200 people have been served, credit scores increased by about 100 points, net worth and savings increased, and 140 job placements with retention beyond 90/180 days were achieved. Total income support (SNAP, housing, FAFSA) secured: Goodwill $1,339,000; Sound Outreach $315,000; Tacoma Community House $106,000–$136,000.
      • The GRIT (Growing Resilience in Tacoma) guaranteed income program: initially 110 recipients received $500/month for one year (funded by national mayors' initiative); a second cohort of 175 received $500/month via $1.9 million state grant; currently 25 families receive $500/month for up to five years through a private funder. Program success attributed to cash as a strategy, paired with financial coaching.
    • Council members expressed support for the United Way's work, particularly the GRIT program and asset-building focus. Councilmember Sidalga asked how to respond to critics who see guaranteed income as "giving away money." Ponepinto and Willis emphasized that recipients are working families, the money circulates back into the community, and the program includes coaching and support to change mindsets about money. Councilmember Rumbach noted the importance of child care affordability and the "cliff effect" of losing subsidies. Deputy Mayor Bushnell requested disaggregated data for Asian populations. Councilmember Palmer asked about the program's evolution and next steps, noting willingness to partner on expansion.

  • Pierce County Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) – Proposed Amended and Restated Interlocal Agreement:

    • Director Adam Cook of Tacoma Venues and Events outlined the proposal, joined by Dean Burke (President/CEO of Visit Tacoma Pierce County) and Kelly Rankin (Civitas).
    • The TPA, established in 2009, levies a per-night, per-room assessment on lodging businesses with 40+ rooms (not short-term rentals). Current rates range from $0.50 to $1.50; the cap is $5 (set by state law in 2021). Revenue is dedicated to tourism promotion: convention, trade show, leisure travel marketing, and sports event recruitment.
    • The current collection generates just over $1 million annually in 2026. Proposed amendments would increase revenue by approximately $2.5 million, bringing total to about $3.6 million. Rate changes: Zone A (downtown Tacoma) from $1.50 to $5; Zone B (Lakewood, Puyallup, non-downtown Tacoma, Ruston) to $3; Zone C (DuPont, Gig Harbor, Sumner, unincorporated Pierce County) to $1.50. Fife is withdrawing due to loss of inventory; Ruston is joining after adding a hotel (Silver Cloud).
    • Industry support: TPA Hotel Commission voted unanimously on March 11, 2026, to advance; petitions were returned at 67% support (threshold 60%). Approximately 10 Tacoma lodging businesses among signatories.
    • Allocation: At least 90% to Visit Tacoma Pierce County; up to 10% to a new grant program for qualifying tourism promotions, as determined by the TPA Commission.
    • The amended interlocal agreement updates parties/boundaries, revenue allocation, provides a fallback rate schedule if the additional charge authority expires (July 2027), and adjusts commission composition (no fewer than 7 voting members).
    • Timeline: County Council adopted initial actions; the city is among the last to approve; first collections expected April 2027.
    • Council questions clarified that the assessment is not a general tax for the city's deficit but is industry-supported; Ruston's inclusion allows marketing for its hotel; Fife's withdrawal reflects loss of inventory. Councilmember Palmer asked about inflation adjustments and noted the cap of $5. Deputy Mayor Bushnell praised the TPA's regional benefits and staff efforts.

Key Outcomes

  • No formal votes were taken during the study session.
  • The proposed TPA amended interlocal agreement (Resolution 42017) was scheduled for adoption on the evening consent agenda.
  • The council expressed support for the United Way's programs and committed to continued partnership, including exploring expansion of the GRIT guaranteed income program.
  • Deputy City Manager Alison Griffith noted three ceremonial proclamations on the evening agenda: International Day of Peace (Sept 21), Welcoming Week (Sept 10-19), and Hispanic and Latin Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15). The meeting agenda for the evening includes one opportunity for public comment.
  • The meeting was adjourned after the city manager's report.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. I'd like to call to order the City Council study session of September 15th, 2026. Clerk, please call the roll. Deputy Mayor Bushnell. Present. Councilmember Diaz, absent Councilmember Heinz? Here. Councilmember Palmer. Councilmember Rumba? Here. Councilmember Sidalgay? Here. Councilmember Scott? Here. Councilmember Scott is virtual. Councilmember Walker? Here. Mayor Ibsen. Here. Welcome everyone. Our first agenda item is a presentation from the United Way. I'd like to call on United Way President and CEO Donna Pontipento to begin the presentation. Welcome. Good morning. Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to present. I'm again I'm Donna Ponapinto and President CEO of United Way, and with me I have Lynn Willis, who is the director of family financial stability initiatives. And we do have one other person joining us, I think as he makes his way down to the council chambers. So I'm just going to begin by giving you, it's been a while, first of all, and I want to give you an update on United Way. I've had a chance to meet with most of you, and I'm still trying to set up some meetings with some of you as well, but I try to make sure every year that I'm touching base with our uh elected officials. So United Way of Pierce County, we have a uh, let's see. Back in 2015, we decided we landed on a bold goal for lifting 15,000 families out of poverty by 2028. And to date, we're at 14,800 households that have moved from a place of crisis to self-sufficiency. Uh and we know that, you know, we're even though we'll make that 15,000, that there will be 15,000 more, and there will be 15,000 more after that. And so the work continues. Uh we have been around for over 105 years and have invested uh over seven million uh back into the community uh back into the community since uh uh since twenty in 207.8 million, I'm sorry, into the community in 2025. And over 359 million back into the community uh since 19 uh I may need your help, Ashley, since I don't know how to use a remote. Uh so Alice, I think everyone here is familiar with Alice uh and the Alice data. Uh we just um the report was released back in May with using the 2024 uh census information, and so what we know is that over a hundred thousand uh households in Pierce County are Alice, and then there's another 34,000 that are below the federal poverty level. Uh so you know you've got 134,000 households out of the Pierce County households that are struggling to make uh ends meet. And Alice, uh for I think all of you know what that stands for, but asset limited income constrained employed, and these are the households that are uh above the poverty federal poverty level, but again, don't have enough money to um take care of their basic needs. Uh and about 37 percent live um below that Alice threshold. Uh when you look at uh income levels, for instance, minimum household income for a single head of household of Alice families is sixty-seven thousand, and for a family with two adults with children in child care, the survival that's just the survival budget is 127 uh thousand dollars. So if you think about that for a minute, uh and you think about how many um uh of the jobs you know are are sometimes 20 dollars or less. Uh and even if you're 40 dollars uh an hour, you're still and you have two children in child care, you're still uh struggling. So you can go to the next one. So this is just another way to look at uh this particular information. You've got 124,000 households uh in the 2023 census, and then you uh again with the 2024 census, there's a hundred and thirty four uh thousand families that are atlas all right, you can go to the next one. Okay. All right, you can go to the next one. So demographic hardships.

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