JUST A SECOND.
>> Councilmember Hines: WE WILL GET EVERYONE SWORN IN SO WE CAN BEGIN OUR COUNCIL MEETING HERE THIS EVENING.
>> HELLO EVERYONE.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.
HOW ABOUT NOW?
>> Councilmember Hines: NICOLE, HOW ABOUT YOU TAKE THIS ONE.
OKAY, HOW ABOUT NOW?
OKAY!
OKAY EVERYONE.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING FOR OUR FIRST COUNCIL MEETING OF THE YEAR.
MY NAME IS NICOLE EMERY, CITY CLERK AND I GET THE HONOR OF KICKING THE MEETING OFF TONIGHT.
AS YOU MAY NOTICE THE DICE BEHIND ME IS A LITTLE EMPTY AND BEFORE THE MEETING OFFICIALLY GET STARTED, WE WILL SWEAR IN COUNCILMEMBER BUSHNELL, PALMER, RUMBA, SADALGE AND MAYOR IBSEN.
AFTER EACH MEMBER COMPLETES THEIR OATH THEY WILL MAKE THEIR WAY UP TO THE SEAT ON THE DAIS.
ONCE THE COUNCIL IS AT THE DAIS, MAYOR IBSEN WILL CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER AND SHORTLY AFTER THEY WILL MAKE SOME REMARKS.
WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A SHORT RECESS WHICH WILL ALLOW EVERYONE TO LEAVE IF THEY DESIRE TO DO SO.
SO, TO KICK OFF THE FIRST ONE I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE UP COUNCILMEMBER SADALGE WHO WILL BE SWORN IN BY SPEAKER LAURIE JINKINS.
PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP TO THE FRONT.
[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
>> I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE SWEARING YOU IN ALONG WITH THE CUTEST MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, TOO.
[LAUGHTER] I UNDERSTAND I GET TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS BEFORE I SWEAR YOU IN AND I WILL BE BRIEF.
I SO CLEARLY REMEMBER THE DAY THAT YOU CALLED ME AND ASKED ME FOR AN ENDORSEMENT FOR YOUR RUN.
I TOLD YOU THAT I WOULD NOT ENDORSE YOU AND TELL YOU HAD KNOCKED ON 1000 DOORS IN YOUR DISTRICT.
AND YOU WENT TO WORK.
YOU DID THAT AND THEN YOU KEPT ON REPORTING THE NUMBERS AS THEY WERE RISING.[LAUGHTER] AND THEN, YOU CALLED ME AND SAID I HAVE HIT THE THOUSAND, WILL YOU ENDORSE ME?
AND I SAID NOW THAT YOU HAVE HIT 1000 YOU DON'T NEED MY ENDORSEMENT BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS.
AND YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR COMMUNITY AND OF COURSE YOU HAVE MY ENDORSEMENT.
BUT I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID OVER THE COURSE OF THIS RACE AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU HAVE DONE OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR SERVICE SO FAR.
I AM SO EXCITED TO HAVE YOU SIT ON THIS COUNCIL AS A FULLY ELECTED MEMBER HAVING KNOCKED ON AS MANY DOORS AS YOU HAVE AND REALLY UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWING YOUR DISTRICT AND WHAT THE PEOPLE OF YOUR DISTRICT NEED.
I AM HONORED TO BE HERE TO BE ABLE TO SWEAR YOU IN.
PLEASE REPEAT AFTER ME.
I, SANDESH SADALGE DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.
I WILL COMPLY WITH THE CITY CHARTER AND ALL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY.
AND THATT I WILL FAITHFULLY AND AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER DISTRICT 4 ACCORDING TO THE LAW AND TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING SWORN IN AS A COUNCILMEMBER.
[APPLAUSE]
AS A COUNCILMEMBER.
[APPLAUSE]
>> Clerk: NEXT UP I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON COUNCILMEMBER BUSHNELL WHO WILL BE SWORN IN BY HIS FATHER, JOE BUSHNELL.
>> THANK YOU, EVERYBODY FOR COMING HERE TONIGHT.
IT IS SUCH AN HONOR TO BE SWEARING IN MY SON AND HIS GRANDFATHER WAS VERY BIG INTO POLITICS AND WANTED SO BADLY TO GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS.
THIS WOULD'VE BEEN THE LATE 60S AND EARLY 70S.
TO SEE US STANDING HERE NOW IN FRONT OF THE CITY COUNCIL, I BET HE IS BUSTING HIS BUTTONS RIGHT NOW IN HEAVEN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SO, IF YOU WILL REPEAT AFTER ME, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I, JOE BUSHNELL DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR AND AFFIRM THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON THAT I WILL COMPLY WITH THE CITY CHARTER AND ALL ORDINANCES OF THE
CITY.
AND I WILL FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF E OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER DISTRICT NUMBER 5 ACCORDING TO THE LAW AND THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
>> THANK YOU.
CONGRATULATIONS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: THIS IS MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE.
THE FIRST TIME SHE HAS SEEN A SWEARING IN.
>> WE HAVE ONE MORE DUTY HERE.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: OH.
>> RIGHT THERE WHERE IT SAYS JOE BUSHNELL.
SIGNED THEIR.
YOU'VE GOT IT.
THE OTHER JOE BUSHNELL GOES HERE.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: IS VERY CONFUSING BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SAME NAME.[CHUCKLE]
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
[APPLAUSE]
>> Clerk: NEXT UP I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP COUNCILMEMBER PALMER TO BE SWORN IN BY HER DAUGHTER, NAYELI VASQUEZ.
[APPLAUSE]
>> HI MOM.[LAUGHTER]
>> Councilmember Palmer: HI BABY.
>> SO, IT IS VERY NICE TO SEE YOU HAVE A LOT OF INTELLIGENCE AND TO SEE YOU GROW.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THAT INTELLIGENT DON'T GROW AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.
AND AS A CITY COUNCILMEMBER IT IS JUST THE START BECAUSE YOU CAN GROW MANY MORE AND YOU CAN ACHIEVE A MUCH MORE THAN YOU CAN.
THIS IS JUST A START.
>> Councilmember Palmer: THANK YOU BABY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> Councilmember Palmer: I LATASHA PALMER DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HE STATE OF WASHINGTON THAT I WILL COMPLY WITH CITY CHARTER AND ALL THE ORDINANCES
OF THE CITY AND I WILL FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE NUMBER 6 ACCORDING TO LAW AND THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
[APPLAUSE]
>> Clerk: NEXT WE WILL HAVE COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH WHO WILL BE SWORN IN BY THE HON.
JUDGE STANLEY RUMBAUGH.
[APPLAUSE]
>> SO WE ARE HAVING A CONTEST FOR THE CUTEST BABY, MY GRANDDAUGHTER TALIA IS HERE.
SARAH, ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE?
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: YES.
>> WHEN YOU TOLD ME YOU WERE GOING TO RUN FOR REELECTION DIDN'T TO ASK WHY.
>> Councilmember Palmer:
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: YOU SHOULD'VE ASKED WHY!
>> BECAUSE I KNEW.
YOU ARE COMMITTED TO SERVICE AND THE PRINCIPLES YOU STAND FOR.
YOU GIVE THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION TO EVERYBODY!
OF VIEW AND ONCE YOU HAVE WEIGHED YOUR DECISION YOU STICK WITH IT.
SO ARE YOU PREPARED TO TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE?
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: YES.
>> RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: I, SARAH RUMBAUGH DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.
THAT I WILL COMPLY WITH THE CITY CHARTER AND ALL ORDINANCES OF THE NCES OF THE CITY AND I WILL FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER DISTRICT NUMBER 2 ACCORDING TO THE LAW AND TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIES.
[APPLAUSE]
] [APPLAUSE]
>> Clerk: LAST THIS EVENING WE HAVE MAYOR IBSEN WHO WILL BE SWORN IN BY PUYALLUP COUNCILWOMAN ANNETTE BRYAN.
[APPLAUSE]
>> HELLO.[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE].
I AM REALLY HONORED TO COME HERE ON BEHALF OF THE PUYALLUP TRIBE BUT ALSO ON HALF OF MYSELF.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER SINCE I STARTED ON THE COUNCIL ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO.
AND MY, HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED.
YOU HAVE SOME REALLY BIG SHOES TO FILL AND I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FILL THE SHOES OF MAYOR WOODARDS IN NOT ONLY ESTABLISHING BUT MAINTAINING A REALLY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WALLOP TRIBE OF INDIANS.
YOU
HAVE REALLY TRIED AND REALLY GONE OUT OF YOUR WAY TO LEARN ABOUT OUR CULTURE, TO GET TO KNOW US AND TO GET TO KNOW ME AND THAT IS SO APPRECIATED.
ONE OF THE REASONS WHY, YOU CAN SEE OUR FLAG HERE TODAY AND YOU CAN SEE A WHOLE DIFFERENT FEELING THAN WE DID 10 YEARS AGO BETWEEN THE TRIBE AND THE CITY AND I THINK YOU FOR THAT AND YOUR ROLE IN THAT.
I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT ROLE.
ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THIS OATH OF OFFICE?
>> Mayor Ibsen: YES.
>> PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: I ANDERS IBSEN DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR AND AFFIRM THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.
THAT I WILL COMPLY WITH THE CITY CHARTER AND ALL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR.
ACCORDING TO LAW AND TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
.
[CHEERING]
>> Mayor Ibsen: WE ARE GOING TO DO SOME AWESOME STUFF.
THANK YOU.
HANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: I WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 6, 2026.
[APPLAUSE] [CHEERING] CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell:
PRESENT.
>> Councilmember Diaz: HERE.
>> Councilmember Hines: HERE.
>> Councilmember Palmer: I AM
HERE.
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh:
HERE.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: HERE.
>> Councilmember Scott: HERE.
>> Councilmember Walker: HERE.
>> Mayor Ibsen: HERE.
>> Mayor Ibsen: WILL YOU PLEASE JOIN ME IN LISTENING TO THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND FLAG SALUTE LED BY COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT, FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
>> Councilmember Scott: WE GREATLY HONOR AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE REST ON THE TRADITIONAL LANDS OF THE PUYALLUP PEOPLE WHERE THEY MAKE THEIR HOME AND SPEAK THE LUSHOOTSEED LANGUAGE.
PLEASE STAND FOR THE FLAG SALUTE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[RAPS THE GAVEL]
>> Mayor Ibsen: I WILL KEEP MY COMMENTS BRIEF BECAUSE I HAVE FOUR OTHER COLLEAGUES WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT EITHER RE-UPPING OR JOINING FOR THE FIRST TIME OUR CITY COUNCIL.
BUT SPEAKING TO SO MANY FRIENDS HERE IN THIS ROOM BOTH NEW AND ESTABLISHED SOME LONG TIME, OTHERS NEW FRIENDS, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY MOST PROFOUND GRATITUDE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU.
TACOMA IS THE JEWEL OF THE SOUTH SOUND.
A BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING PLACE.
WHILE THE CHALLENGES WE FACE ARE STARK THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE SO MUCH GREATER.
WORKING TOGETHER I AM SO EXCITED BOTH WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY EXTREME GRATITUDE.
THE WORK IS GETTING STARTED BUT I LIKE WORK SO WERE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT TIME.
WHO ELSE WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT?
COUNCILMEMBER BUSHNELL?
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: THANK YOU MAYOR AND I WANTED TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING OUT TO THE SWEARING-IN AND MINE AS WELL.
I WANT TO SAY AYE APPRECIATE MY FATHER I WOULD BE THE MAN I AM TODAY IF IT WASN'T FOR HIM.
I LEARNED THE VALUE OF HARD WORK AND VOLUNTEERISM AND SERVICE THROUGH HIM.
I HOPE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE HIM PROUD.
I KNOW HE IS VERY PROUD.
I AM ALSO VERY PROUD OF THE CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY.
I'VE A LOT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY CARE MY MOTHER I WAS A REFUGEE FROM CAMBODIA.
BEING MIXED CAMBODIAN MYSELF IS REALLY IMPACT WILL.
THE STORIES FROM MY MOTHER'S SIDE AND THE FAMILY AND HOW THEY GOT TO THE UNITED STATES AND THEN TO BE ABLE TO RISE IN THIS POSITION.
I WANT TO BRING MY COMMUNITY ALONG WITH ME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE] THANK YOU.
THANK YOU EVERYBODY AND THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING.
I CANNOT BE PROUDER AND I LOVE THIS CITY AND I LOVE TO SERVE AND I AM SO HAPPY THAT I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO SERVE HERE.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER BUSHNELL.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
COUNCILMEMBER SADALGE?
>> Councilmember Sadalge: THANK YOU.
I DIDN'T ACTUALLY PREPARE ANY SUM GOING OFF THE CUFF HERE.
FIRST I WANT TO RECOGNIZE BOTH MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER.
I APPLIED FOR THIS POSITION TO FULFILL THE LATE, GREAT, CATHERINE USHKA'S REMAINING TERM AFTER MY MOTHER DIED WANTING TO DO SOMETHING REALLY MEANINGFUL.
I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT THIS LAST YEAR AND 1/2.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY BROTHER WHO ANSWERED A CALL HE FOUND WITHIN HIMSELF AND WENT INTO THE MILITARY AND SPENT 21 YEARS OVER THERE WHO REALLY INFLUENCED ME OVER MY LIFETIME AND MY SISTER WHO HERSELF LEFT ACADEMIA AND BECAME A COUNCILMEMBER
IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY.
I AM ALSO PROUD OF BEING THE FIRST SOUTH ASIAN, SOMEONE BEING FROM SOUTH ASIA ON THIS COUNSEL.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF PEOPLES ON THIS COUNCIL AND TO SEE SO MUCH DIVERSITY HERE MAKES ME PROUD.
AND LASTLY I AM JUST ABSOLUTELY, NO, SECOND TO LAST.
THE LAST ONE WILL BE A VERY IMPORTANT PERSON.
SECOND TO LAST, MY NEIGHBORS IN DISTRICT 4 WHO HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY SOME OF THE MOST KINDEST, WELCOMING PEOPLE I HAVE EVER INTERACTED WITH.
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE HARD CONVERSATIONS WITH ONE ANOTHER AND THEN YOU JUST LOVE EACH OTHER MORE.
4337 IS THE TOTAL NUMBERS I ACTUALLY HIT.
NOT EVERY CONVERSATION WAS EASY.[CHUCKLE] BUT I THINK EVERY SINGLE CONVERSATION I LEFT FEELING MORE CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO THANK MY WIFE BECAUSE I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING THAT I HAVE DONE IN THESE LAST 16 YEARS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TOGETHER IF IT WASN'T FOR HER STRENGTH AND HER SUPPORT.
SO I AM BEYOND GRATEFUL TO BE HERE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES AS WE LOOK TO MOVE TACOMA FORWARD.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS COUNCILMEMBER.
COUNCILMEMBER PALMER?
>> Councilmember Palmer: THANK YOU MAYOR.
I WANT TO FIRST THANK MY FELLOW COUNCILMEMBERS FOR SUCH A WARM WELCOME.
WE HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR A LITTLE BIT NOW BUT IT HAS BEEN GREAT.
YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN SO HELPFUL.
TODAY WAS A LOT.
IT WAS MY FIRST DAY HERE AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP.
I WANTED TO THANK MY CAMPAIGN TEAM WE HAVE SHERRY AND JONATHAN HERE AND MIGHT CAMPAIGN AUNTIES.
MY FAMILY, MY SISTER TANISHA, MY BROTHER DEVON HELPING ME OUT WITH MY KIDDOS AND MY KIDDOS.
NAYELI VASQUEZ, THANK YOU FOR ALMOST MAKING ME CRY.
AND I WANT TO THANK TACOMA.
I FEEL SO SUPPORTED.
AND EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW POSITION SIX IS A SEAT FOR EVERYONE.
I THINK, I HOPEFULLY, THAT IS MY JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CONTINUE TO FEEL THAT WAY.
AND LET ME KNOW IF I DON'T.
[CHUCKLE] PLEASE, HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE, THAT'S FIRST OFF.
AND IN THAT VEIN, I KNOW SOME OF YOU LIKE TO LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS TO SEE WHAT WE SAY SO I WANTED TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW AND SHARE MY GOVERNING PRINCIPLES AND WHAT I PLAN TO BASE MY DECISIONS ON SO THAT IF I STRAY FROM THAT
YOU GUYS CAN SAY HEY LATOSHA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING.
I'M SORRY, COUNCILMEMBER PALMER, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
[CHUCKLE] I BELIEVE OUR WORK SHOULD BE MEASURABLE AND TRANSPARENT.
I BELIEVE WE CAN ENSURE THAT EVERY RESIDENT HAS DIGNITY AND THE CHANCE TO FEEL SAFE AND BELONG.
THIS INCLUDES PEOPLE HAVING REAL OPPORTUNITIES TO REMAIN IN AND MEANINGFULLY DISSIPATE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES TO SHARE EQUITABLY IN BOTH THE COST AND BENEFITS OF BOTH AND TO BUILD AND KEEP WEALTH IN WAYS THAT STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY WELL-BEING AND
STABILITY.
I COMMIT TO SEEKING THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS WHETHER CONVENTIONAL OR INNOVATIVE AND TO PLANNING, INVESTING AND PROBLEM SOLVING TOGETHER WITH RESIDENTS, WORKERS AND BUSINESSES GUIDED BY A RESPONSIBILITY TO FUTURE GENERATIONS
AND THE HEALTH OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.
SO AGAIN, I CANNOT DO THIS ALONE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT AND HOPEFULLY YOU WILL STICK BY ME AS I GO THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE.
LET'S CHANGE SOME THINGS UP BLOCK BY BLOCK.
[APPLAUSE]
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER PALMER.
COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH?
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: THANK YOU.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO IS HERE TONIGHT AND I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY WHO HAS ALWAYS BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE.
MY DAUGHTER WAS HERE WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHICH WAS EXCITING TO SEE ME BE HERE.
AND I WANT TO THANK MY HUSBAND.
I WANT TO THANK STAND BECAUSE AS A JUDGE I HAVE SEEN HIM AS A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY AND SERVE ON THE PIERCE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT FOR MANY YEARS NOW.
AND HE FOR ME IS AN EXAMPLE OF AN UPSTANDING PUBLIC SERVANT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
SO THAT IS SORT OF MY LENS.
I KNOW WE HAVE SOME JUDGES HERE IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW PROUD I WAS TO BE ABLE TO PICK OUR -WE WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE ON OUR NEXT MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE.
THAT'S A BIG DEAL TO ME.
HAVING OUR OWN COURT HERE IN OUR OWN CITY IS IMPORTANT AND THE WORK THEY DO EVERY DAY TO PROVIDE THE SAFETY THAT WE NEED AS A COMMUNITY IS IMPORTANT.
I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO WORKS FOR THE CITY FOR BELIEVING IN US WHO ARE SITTING UP HERE AND DOING THIS WORK.
WE DON'T GET THIS WORK DONE BY OURSELVES WE WORK TOGETHER AND WE HAVE NEW MEMBERS TODAY AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE THE NEW MEMBERS BUT I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT LEADERSHIP ISN'T ABOUT DOING THE THINGS IS ABOUT DOING HARD THINGS.
DURING MY LAST FOUR YEARS I DID A LOT OF HARD THINGS AND THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WHAT YOU ALL WANTED DONE BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE WEREN'T OTHER PEOPLE THAT NEEDED THOSE THINGS DONE.
I HOPE WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY AND BE HONEST WITH EACH OTHER AND I KNOW I HAVE HAD -SOME PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN HAPPY BUT I THINK ALSO ONE THING THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATION AND CONTINUE TO TALK
TO EACH OTHER AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT THIS IS ABOUT IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE FOR AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR VOICE AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM US.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE FOR YOU AND WE CARE WHAT YOU THINK AND I WANT YOU TO THINKABOUT WHY WE ARE HERE TONIGHT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH AND THANK YOU WHO HAVE CONTINUED TO SERVE OR WHO ARE JOINING THE COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST TIME.
ALL OF YOU ARE WELCOME TO STAY FOR THE REST OF THE MEETING ALTHOUGH I THINK THERE'S A FAIR AMOUNT WHO ARE NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT PURCHASE RESOLUTIONS AND SALES TAX.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO STAY HERE BUT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A BRIEF RECESS FOR PEOPLE TO LEAVE AND GET ON TO BETTER THINGS.
IS THERE A MOTION TO HAVE A RECESS OF FIVE MINUTES?
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO TAKE A RECESS FOR 5 MINUTES.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO.
WE WILL RECESS FOR 5 MINUTES.
[RAPS THE GAVEL]
>> Mayor Ibsen: I WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 6.
THERE IS A MODIFICATION TO THE AGENDA THIS EVENING.
WE HAVE A PROPOSED MOTION TO AMEND ITEM 26 RESOLUTION 418412 AT CANCELLATION OF APRIL 7TH AND SEPTEMBER 1 STUDY SESSION AND COUNCIL MEETINGS.
WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO COMMENT -YOU MAY DO SO DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA THIS EVENING?
SEEING NONE WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDING RESOLUTION 41827 AND 41828 AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 29090.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS QUESTIONS OR CORRECTIONS?
IS THERE A MOTION?
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO ACCEPT THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ORDINANCE
29090.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
ALL OPPOSED SIGNIFY BY SAYING NAY.
ALL IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING THE CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDING SENDING ORDINANCE 29090 OVER FOR A DATE TO BE DETERMINED SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY.
THE CONSENT AGENDA IS CONSIDERED ADOPTED.
MOVING ON TO PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PRESENTATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
ITEM NUMBER 12 WE ARE PROCLAIMING JANUARY 26 AS NATIONAL MEN TOURING MONTH.
WE HAVE TWO CEREMONIAL'S TONIGHT FOR THE MENTORING PROCLAMATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THEM IN JOLYNN KENNEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HOPE AMB.,
ALICE MASSARA PEOPLE AND CULTURE MANAGER TACOMA POWER AND CASSANDRA ZHU LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT HUMAN RESOURCES.
COME TO THE PODIUM.
WELCOME.
WHEREAS, JANUARY IS RECOGNIZED NATIONWIDE AS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH,CELEBRATING THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS; AND WHEREAS, MENTORING FOSTERS MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS THAT SUPPORT PERSONAL GROWTH, EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER
SUCCESS, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, AND A SENSE OF BELONGING FOR BOTH MENTORS AND MENTEES; AND WHEREAS, MENTORS SERVE AS ROLE MODELS, GUIDING INDIVIDUALS TO NAVIGATE CHALLENGES AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, HELPING TO
SHAPE A STRONG AND RESILIENT COMMUNITY; AND WHEREAS, ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MENTOR WASHINGTON AND LOCAL MENTORING PROGRAMS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN TRAINING MENTORS, SUPPORTING MENTEES, AND SUSTAINING THESE INVALUABLE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS; AND WHEREAS,
NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH CALLS UPON INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, FAITH COMMUNITIES, AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS TO ENGAGE IN MENTORING AND ENSURE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES HAVE ACCESS TO CARING AND SUPPORTIVE GUIDANCE; AND WHEREAS, THE CITY RECOGNIZES
MENTORING AS A PROVEN STRATEGY TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENT, IMPROVE WELL-BEING, AND INSPIRE LONG-TERM SUCCESS; AND WHEREAS, MENTORING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN INCLUDING YOUTH, EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONALS, AND EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SERVANTS, ENRICHES INDIVIDUALS,
ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITIES ALIKE; AND WHEREAS, TACOMA PUBLIC UTILITIES AND OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS INVEST IN EMPLOYEE MENTORING TO CULTIVATE CONFIDENCE, LEADERSHIP CAPACITY, AND A SENSE OF BELONGING, RECOGNIZING THAT A SUPPORTED WORKFORCE
IS ESSENTIAL TO SERVING RESIDENTS WITH EXCELLENCE, CARE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY;NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDERS IBSEN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF TACOMA, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JANUARY 2026 ASB NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH IN THE CITY
OF TACOMA AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO CELEBRATE THE DEDICATED MENTORS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS, TO CONSIDER BECOMING A MENTOR, AND TO SUPPORT LOCAL MENTORING PROGRAMS THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY AND FUTURE.
PLEASE SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> Speaker: THANK YOU MAYOR IBSEN AND HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HAPPY NATIONAL MEN TOURING MONTH.
I LOVE FIRST, MY NAME IS JOLYNN KENNEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HOPE AMB.
OF WASHINGTON.
I LOVE THAT YOU ARE SWORN IN TONIGHT WITH EVERYONE AND THEIR CONTINUED ROLES.
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU MENTIONED ANOTHER PERSON WHO WAS IMPORTANT TO YOU IN SHAPING YOUR PATHS, YOUR DECISIONS AND SERVICE.
YOUR TRAJECTORY.
SOMETIMES THOSE PEOPLE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE.
SOMETIMES OUR ROLE MODELS ARE YOUNGER THAN US.
MENTOR WASHINGTON IS A STATEWIDE RUN NONPROFIT.
WE ARE LEADING THE NATIONAL MEN TOURING MOVEMENT HERE IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT PIERCE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF TACOMA HAVE ONE OF THE STRONGEST PRESENCE OF YOUTH MEN TOURING ACROSS THE STATE.
WE HAVE SOME OF OUR LOCAL PROGRAMS HERE TONIGHT.
PAUL TOMORROWPALMER SCHOLARS, NATIONAL CHILD HOPE CENTER, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS HAS A PRESENCE HERE IN TOWN.
THE BIG HOMEY PROGRAM.
THERE'S TONS OF NATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT WE ARE CELEBRATING SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU.
>> Speaker: GOOD EVENING MAYOR, NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILMEMBERS AND COUNCILMEMBERS MY NAME IS MALACHI CABRERA AND I SERVE WITH PALMER SCHOLARS.
IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH US WE BEEN AROUND SINCE 1983, OVER 40 YEARS OF MENTORING YOUTH, COLLEGE EDUCATION, COLLEGE READINESS AND PRE-APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING.
TONIGHT IS NOT JUST A PROCLAMATION.
IT IS A MEANING THAT TACOMA SEES OUR PROGRAMS.
THE YOUTH SEES OUR PROGRAMS AND THE IMPACT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THIS, FOR PROCLAIMING THIS MONTH TO BE NATIONAL MENTOR MONTH.
I KNOW PERSONALLY I HAVE SEVERAL MENTORS IN MY LIFE.
SOME OF YOU MAY BE HERE TONIGHT.
BUT I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT THE CITY IS OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZING AND PROCLAIMING THIS MONTH TO BE NATIONAL MENTOR MONTH AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN SEE SOME PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT ENGAGE WITH PALMER SCHOLARS.
WE HAVE OUR ANNUAL LUNCHEON MARCH 26 AND I WANT TO PUT A PLUG IN THERE.
I WANT EVERYONE TO LEARN ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS AND BEING MENTOR TO OUR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> Speaker: HELLO, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.
MY NAME IS CASSANDRA AND I AM THE CITYWIDE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.
IN MY WORK I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH EMPLOYEES AND EVERY PSEUDO- DELAY CITY DEPARTMENT ACROSS ALL LEVELS AND IT OCCURS TO ME THAT THERE IS HUGE LEADERSHIP ESSENTIAL WITHIN OUR OWN WORKFORCE.
AS CITY EMPLOYEES WE ARE SURROUNDED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH A SERVICE MINDED MINDSET TO LEAD BETTER THOSE AROUND THEM TOWARDS OUR COLLECTED SUCCESS.
WE AS AN ORGANIZATION AND CITY ARE FOCUSED ON THE GROWTH DEVELOPMENT AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF OUR ADULT WORKFORCE.
I AM HERE TO.
>> Councilmember: YOU ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP LAUNCHPAD COACHING PROGRAM FOR CITY EMPLOYEES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO GROW TALENT WITHIN BY BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS AND FIRST LEVEL LEADERSHIP.
BY CONNECTING OUR EMERGING LEADERS WITH EXPERIENCE ESTABLISHED LEADERS WE CREATE ACROSS THE MENTAL KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND LEADS TO A MORE COHESIVE ORGANIZATION WHICH MORE IMPORTANTLY ALLOWS US TO BETTER SERVE TACOMA'S COMMUNITY.
WE COMPLETED THE FIRST COHORT THIS FALL WITH 54 PARTICIPANTS ACROSS 14 DEPARTMENTS.
MENTEES HAVE HIGHLIGHTED A KEY TAKE AWAY FROM THE PROGRAM IS LEARNING THAT ADVANCEMENT MEANS FINDING OPPORTUNITIES RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE TO IMPROVE THEIR TEAMS AND ULTIMATELY IMPROVE THAT THE WAY THAT WE SERVE THE CITY.
IF WE WANT THE WORK TO BENEFIT TACOMA WE HAVE TO INVEST IN SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THOSE WHO ARE DOING THE WORK.
WHEN OUR EMPLOYEES ARE BETTER EQUIPPED WITH SKILLS LIKE RADICAL THINKING, EMPATHY AND ACCOUNTABILITY THEY ARE BETTER PREPARED TO SOLVE THE COMPLEX CHALLENGES THAT OUR RESIDENTS FACE EVERY DAY.
WE WILL BE LAUNCHING OUR SECOND COHORT THE SPRING AND CITY EMPLOYEES CONFINEMENT MORE INFORMATION BY SEARCHING LEADERSHIP LAUNCHPAD ON THE HUB.
THANKS AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> Speaker: THANK YOU MAYOR IBSEN AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL I WILL KEEP IT QUICK.
WE HAVE MANY OF US BUT WE ARE JUST EXCITED ABOUT MEN TOURING MONTH.
I WANT TO THANK YOU SPECIFICALLY FOR HONORING US AND FOR HONORING THE WORK THAT NOT ONLY THE PUBLIC DOES WHEN THEY MENTOR THE YOUTH BUT ALSO WHAT OUR OWN EMPLOYEES DO WHEN THEY MENTOR EACH OTHER.
I THINK THAT BUILDS THE LEADERSHIP PIPELINE AND HELPS US BECOME UTTER EMPLOYEES BETTER PUBLIC SERVANTS WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER PUBLIC SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
MY NAME IS ALICE MS.
SARAH AND I AM AT PEOPLES AND CULTURE.
THIS IS THE SEVENTH YEAR WE HAVE BROUGHT THE TP PROGRAM ORGANIZATION.
OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEVEN YEARS WE HAVE HAD UPWARDS OF 650 EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH IT AND EITHER ACT AS MENTORS, MENTEES, AS PEERS OR PART OF THE GROUP.
AND WHAT I GET TO SEE EVERY SINGLE YEAR IS THE JOY IN THEM AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AS PROFESSIONALS AND AGAIN AS SERVANT SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU AND PLEASE COME FORWARD TO ACCEPT THE NOMINATION AND PLEASE GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> Mayor Ibsen: WE NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM 13 RECLAIMING JANUARY 26 AS WHOLE CHILD MONTH.
FOR THE WHOLE CHILD MONTH PROCLAMATION I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE LAURA ALLEN FROM TACOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS I READ THE PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, EVERY CHILD DESERVES TO GROW UP IN A COMMUNITY WHERE THEY ARE SEEN, VALUED, AND SUPPORTED, AND WHERE SCHOOLS, PARKS, AND NEIGHBORHOODS ARE SAFE, JOYFUL, AND EMPOWERING PLACES TO LEARN, PLAY, AND DREAM; AND WHEREAS, CHILDREN THRIVE WHEN
SURROUNDED BY CARING ADULTS AND INCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ALLOW THEM TO PARTICIPATE FULLY, CONNECT MEANINGFULLY, AND REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND; AND WHEREAS, EDUCATION IS ABOUT NURTURING THE WHOLE CHILD, SUPPORTING
NOT ONLY ACADEMIC SUCCESS, BUT ALSO CRITICAL THINKING, CREATIVITY, HEALTH, AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING; AND WHEREAS, STRONG COMMUNITIES ARE BUILT THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AMONG FAMILIES, EDUCATORS, MENTORS, AND CIVIC LEADERS WHO WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE
ENVIRONMENTS ROOTED IN BELONGING, WELLNESS, AND HOPE;
AND WHEREAS, INVESTING IN THE WHOLE CHILD STRENGTHENS OUR CITYb FUTURE BY FOSTERING EQUITY, COMPASSION, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR
ALL; NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDERS IBSEN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF TACOMA, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JANUARY 2026 AS WHOLE CHILD MONTH IN THE CITY OF TACOMA AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO JOIN IN SUPPORTING THE WELL- BEING, GROWTH,
AND POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON LAURA TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> Speaker: THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS CONGRATULATIONS.
MY FRIENDS, WHAT WE HAVE JUST DECLARED IS A PROMISE.
A PROMISE THAT EVERY CHILD IN OUR COMMUNITY IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
WORTH BELIEVING IN AND WORTH SHOWING UP FOR EVERY SINGLE DAY.
LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING WHEN WE CHOOSE TO SEE THE GREATNESS IN OUR KIDS WHEN WE CHOOSE TO LIFT THEM UP WE ARE NOT TO SHAPING THEIR FUTURE WE ARE SHAPING HOURS.
AND THAT IS WORK.
THAT IS THE MISSION AND THE MAGIC.
SO LET'S WALK OUT OF HERE WITH A LITTLE MORE COURAGE IN OUR STRIDE A LITTLE MORE HOPE IN OUR HEART AND MAYBE JUST MAYBE A LITTLE MORE FAITH IN ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE WHEN WE STAY UNITED WE STAY RELENTLESS AND WHEN WE SAY THE LEAST DAY KIND THERE
IS NOTHING AND I MEAN NOTHING THAT OUR CHILDREN WON'T BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU.
PLEASE JOIN ME TO ACCEPT YOUR PROCLAMATION.
[APPLAUSE]
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVING ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
ONCE AND I SAID YOU KNOW THERE'S ONE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COMMENT.
UNDER PUBLIC, YOU CAN SPEAK ABOUT MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA EXCEPT FOR ORDINANCE 29090.
THE PUBLIC HEARING HAS ALREADY BEEN HELD.
THIS FORM IS INTENDED TO GIVE SPEAKERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEIR FEEDBACK WITH THE CITY COUNCIL TO AID IN OUR DECISION-MAKING AND IS NOT MEANT TO BE A BACK-AND-FORTH DIALOGUE YOUR REMARKS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND NOT INDIVIDUAL
STAFF MEMBERS.
IF YOU ARE ATTENDING VIRTUALLY AND WANT TO SPEAK UNDER THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, PLEASE RAISE THE HAND BUTTON NEAR THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN ON THE ZOOM WINDOW.
OR á9 ON YOUR PHONE.
YOUR NAME OR THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF YOUR PHONE NUMBER WILL BE CALLED OUT WHEN IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
>> Clerk: THIS IS THE TIME TO SET ASIDE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
SPEAKERS ARE ASKED TO ADDRESS THE RESOLUTIONS THEY WISH TO ADDRESS.
>> Mayor Ibsen: WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE A COMMENT PERIOD WHERE PEOPLE FEEL RESPECTED WHILE SHARING A WIDE VARIETY OF VIEWPOINTS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE MAY HEAR COMMENTS THAT CONFLICT WITH OUR VALUES.
TO ENSURE THAT ALL SPEAKERS HAVE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS WE ASK YOU TO REFRAIN FROM CLAPPING, BOOING OR OTHERWISE BEING DISRUPT THE.
YOU HAVE 90 SECOND TO MAKE YOUR REMARKS AND PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF YOUR TIMEFRAME.
AS ALWAYS YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO USE ALL OF YOUR TIME.
IF YOU GO OFF TOPIC WE WILL GIVE YOU A WARNING AND IF YOU CONTINUE TO REMAIN OFF TOPIC WE WILL IN YOUR TIME DO WE RECEIVE ANY WRITTEN COMMENT?
>> MAYOR WE DID NOT.
>> Mayor Ibsen: WE ARE MOVING ON TO OUR FIRST IN PERSON SPEAKER, SHELL RICE.
PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> Public Speaker: MICHELLE RICE.
I AM SPEAKING TO 1127 MEN TOURING.
FIRST I WISH TO WELCOME MAYOR IBSEN AND OUR NEW CITY COUNCILMEMBER PALMER IT IS A NEW YEAR AND A NEW CITY COUNCIL AND THE SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY THEY CALL IT A NEW BEGINNING.
BACK TO MEN TOURING.
I HAD A MENTOR IN MY LIFE WHEN I JOINED THE MILITARY IN 72 WITH A GED AND I JUST COMPLETED EIGHT MONTHS OF MILITARY TRAINING AND I GOT TO MY FIRST STATION.
I HAD A MENTOR AND HE TOLD ME TO GO TO SCHOOL AND I FOLLOWED ON THAT AND OVER THE YEARS FROM 1970 TO 2000 I ATTENDED FOR UNIVERSITIES AND HAD A LOT OF DEGREES.
I'M NOT SMART I'M JUST EDUCATED.
MY MENTOR SERGEANT TOMPKINS I'VE GOT TO THANK FOR ALL THOSE YEARS WHERE I AM TODAY.
IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE TRAINING AND MENTORING I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COME TO THE CITY COUNCIL ALL THE TIME AND SPEAK TO YOU ON ISSUES.
I HAVE AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND AND THAT'S WHY YOU SEE ME ALL THE TIME.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU MICHELLE.
THAT DOES IT FOR OUR LIFE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED IN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE HAVE ONE VIRTUAL ATTENDEE MISTY ROLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK VIRTUALLY.
>> Public Speaker: CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> Mayor Ibsen: YES.
>> Public Speaker: THANK YOU THIS IS ADDRESSED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE TACOMA CITY COUNCIL.
THIS STATEMENT IS SUBMITTED REGARDING RECENT EVENTS INVOLVING THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT TENANT UNIT.
AND ACTIONS TAKEN IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEW YORK PROPERTY IN TACOMA FOLLOWING A NEWS CONFERENCE CALLS OUTSIDE THE NEW YORK APARTMENTS SEPTEMBER 6 WHICH IS SUPPORTED.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MISTY I DON'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT BUT THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC COMMENT IS FOR ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA IS VERY TOPIC ON THE AGENDA THAT YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO?
>> Public Speaker: CAN I SEE THE AGENDA?
>> Mayor Ibsen: MA'AM HAVE TO RESPECT EVERYONE WHO SIGNED AND SO YOU MIGHT NEED TO WAIT FOR A TOPIC OR SPEAK AT AN UPCOMING COMMUNITY FORM OR IF YOU LIKE YOU CAN CALL OR EMAIL US AND WE ARE HAPPY TO RESPOND TO YOUR CONCERNS.
>> Public Speaker: I WILL STAY ONLINE AND SEE IF IT COMES UP.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU FOR CARING ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
WITH THAT THERE'S NO OTHER SPEAKERS SIGNED AND SO WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT AND MOVE ON TO THE REGULAR AGENDA STARTING WITH APPOINTMENTS ITEM 14 CLERK, PLEASE READ.
>> RES41829 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING SERGIO FLORES AS JUDGE TO TACOMA MUNICIPAL COURT, DEPARTMENT NO.
2, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026, UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS ELECTED AND QUALIFIED UNDER THE 2026 GENERAL ELECTION.
THESE SIX I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 41829.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE HINCHEY ANNOUNCED HER RETIREMENT EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31ST, 25 THIS LEAVES THE DEPARTMENT TAKEN WITH AN UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING DECEMBER 26.
WASHINGTON STATE LAW ALLOWS A CITY TO DETERMINE WHAT PROCESS THEY WANT TO USE TO FILL A VACANT JUDICIAL POSITION ENDLESS QUALIFICATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS MUST BE SO LONG AS AN INDIVIDUAL IS AN ATTORNEY AND LIVE IN PIERCE COUNTY ON THE DAY OF
APPOINTMENT PIER FOR THIS APPOINTMENT FORMER MAYOR WOODARDS HAS ASKED THE COUNCIL GO THROUGH A PROCESS IN DECEMBER OF 2025 TO BE PROACTIVE AND HAVE A CANDIDATE TO CONSIDER FOR THE FIRST COUNCIL MEETING WALLOWING THE FORMAL VACANCY AND POSITION.
THE PROCESS AS THOSE INTERESTED IN THE POSITION WERE ASKED TO SUBMIT MATERIAL TO THE CITY CLERK AND THEN SENT THAT TO THE GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR INTERVIEWS FOR THE MAYOR'S CONSIDERATION.
MAYOR WOODARDS INTERVIEWED TWO FINALISTS FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND AFTER REVIEWING THE MATERIAL AND MEETING WITH CANDIDATES HAS FORWARDED SERGIO FLOREZ FOR CONSIDERATION OF THIS APPOINTMENT.
MR.
FOR US HAS EXTENSIVE AND WELL-ROUNDED EXPERIENCE AS BOTH A PROSECUTOR AND JUDGE.
MR.
FOR US HAS SERVED AS A JUDGE PRO TEM IN TACOMA MUNICIPAL COURT SINCE SEPTEMBER 2022.
IN PIERCE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT SINCE JANUARY OF 2023 OR HE HAS DEMONSTRATED A CALM DEMEANOR ON A STRONG COMMAND OF THE LAW AND CONSISTENT COMMITMENT TO FAIR AND JUST OUTCOMES.
DEVIOUSLY AS A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY WITH THE CITY OF AUBURN HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN CREATING THE AUBURN COMMUNITY COURT IS NOW A MODEL FOR JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE REGION INCLUDING TACOMA SHOWING PARTICULAR STRENGTH AND THERAPEUTIC PROBLEM-SOLVING
COURT APPROACHES.
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS ESTHER FLOREZ HAS PROVIDED OVER ALL TACOMA MUNICIPAL COURT DOCKETS INCLUDING THERAPEUTIC OR AND IS FULLY PREPARED TO ASSUME THE RESPONSE ABILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT ON THE FIRST DAY OF HIS APPOINTMENT.
IF APPOINTED HE WILL BEGIN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND SERVE THROUGHOUT THE FALL UNTIL THE GENERAL ELECTION PROCESS CONCLUDES IN THE NEW JUDGE TAKES OFFICE.
ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
COUNCILMEMBER HINES?
>> Councilmember Hines: THANK YOU MR.
MAYOR I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THINK THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE FINANCE COMMITTEE AS YOU MENTIONED THIS WAS SENT TO US BY THE MAYOR AND WE ARE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SO MANY AMAZING APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION I DO WANT TO SAY THAT
MR.
FLORIST DID STAND OUT MORE THAN THE REST AND WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT HE IS A WONDERFUL CHOICE FOR TAKING THIS ROLE.
WE WERE HAPPY TO FORWARD HIS NAME TO THE MAYOR AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONFIRM HIM IN THE CITY THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER HINES.
COUNCILMEMBER DIAZ?
>> Councilmember Diaz: THANK YOU.
I ALSO WANTED TO THANK THE COMMITTEE FOR THEIR WORK.
I'M NOT ON THE COMMITTEE BUT I'M REALLY GLAD THAT THEY LANDED WHERE THEY DID.
AND THAT MAYOR IBSEN WILL BE GOING FORWARD WITH THIS APPOINTMENT PARTICULARLY FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY IMPORTANT MEMBER OF THE MUNICIPAL BENCH PROBABLY A HISTORY MAKER.
I DON'T SEE THE FORMER MAYOR IN THE ROOM TO CONFIRM THAT BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ASSUME AS THE FIRST COUNCIL MEMBER WITH A LATINA BACKGROUND I AM HAPPY TO BE WELCOMING JUDGE FLORIST TO THE BENCH.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT?
>> Councilmember Scott: THANK YOU MAYOR.
I AM REALLY HAPPY TO WELCOME SERGIO TO OUR MUNICIPAL TEAM AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE IN GREAT HANDS AND WE ARE ADDING SOMEBODY WHO IS COMPASSIONATE AND EMPATHETIC AND SMART AND KIND AND WILL BRING A WHOLE LOT TO THE
WORK WE DO HERE IN TACOMA SO THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT AND AS A POINT OF PRIVILEGE I CAN SAY I'M EAGERLY WAITING TO WORK WITH SERGIO.
I KNOW THE MAN AS A FRIEND.
I'VE KNOWN HIM SINCE 2000 SET OF CONSISTENT DEDICATION FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS WITH CONSISTENT INTEREST IN PUBLIC SERVICE MOST OF WHICH HAS BEEN IN PIERCE COUNTY IS OUTSTANDING.
WELCOME BACK TO THE CITY OF TACOMA WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO WORK WITH YOU.
WITHOUT ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION OR 1829 PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
ALL OPPOSED SAY NO.
CONGRATULATIONS JUDGE!
[APPLAUSE]
>> Mayor Ibsen: BEFORE WE MOVE ON I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THE NEWLY MINTED JUDGE SERGIO FLOREZ A CHANCE TO SPEAK.
>> Speaker: I'M NOT SURE IF I WILL.
I'M VERY EMOTIONAL.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR PUTTING YOUR TRUST IN ME.
ALL OF YOU I HAVE SPOKEN TO ALL OF YOU AT SOME POINT IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS ABOUT MY PASSION FOR TACOMA MUNICIPAL COURT AND WHY I WANTED TO BE A JUDGE IN TACOMA MUNICIPAL COURT.
THAT PASSION HAS NEVER CHANGED.
ACTUALLY IT HAS CHANGED BECAUSE IT'S GOTTEN STRONGER.
I AM COMMITTED AND PASSIONATE TO MAKING SURE THAT TACOMA IN A CIVIL COURT IS THE COURT OF OUR PEOPLE AND THAT WE ARE WELCOMING AND THAT WE ARE CREATING A PORT AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE BENEFITING THE COMMUNITY, THE VIC DEMS AND THE DEFENDANT AND
THAT WE ARE NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM BUT PART OF THE SOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF TACOMA.
I AM HONORED.
HONORED TO RECEIVE YOUR CONFIDENCE IN ME FOR THIS ROLE AND I AM EXCITED TO WORK WITH THE OTHER JUDGES AND THE COUNCIL AND THE CITY TO DO GREAT THINGS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU JUDGE.
[APPLAUSE] MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 15, CLERK, PLEASE READ.
>> RES41830 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING AND REAPPOINTING INDIVIDUALS TO THE COMMUNITYb POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: AND MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION
41830.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST CALL ON COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH.
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: YOU VERY MUCH ON THE DECEMBER 1125 COMMUNITY VITALITY AND SAFETY MEETING THE COMMITTEE CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS AND RECOMMENDED THE APPOINTMENT AND REAPPOINTMENT TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO THE POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
KAIA BLACK ME ROBBINS SIN, CHRISTOPHER PUTNAM, DANIEL KNOX, MASON HARRIS AND RAO LET CHURCHILL.
I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS WAS THE BEST PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE HAD APPLY FOR THESE POSITIONS AT SEATAC.
I WAS OVERWHELMED, WE WERE AS A COMMITTEE JUST AS THE QUALIFICATIONS AND DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON OUR SEATBACK COMMITTEE.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION 41830 THE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
ALL OPPOSED SAY NO THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
MOVING ON TO ITEM 16 CLERK PLEASE READ.
>> RES41831 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING AND REAPPOINTING INDIVIDUALS TO THE LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION OR
1831.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON COUNCILMEMBER WALKER.
>> Councilmember Walker: THANK YOU MAYOR IN THE DECEMBER 10TH MEETING THE COMMITTEE CONDUCTED REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, ACTUALLY AND RECOMMENDED THE APPOINTMENT AND REAPPOINTMENT OF THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO THE LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
MATTIE LEVESQUE, ANNA HE DEMO TRICK AND SARAH HILSON DECKER.
>> Mayor Ibsen: WONDERFUL THANK YOU.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COUNCIL COMMENTS?
EVERYONE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION 41831 SAY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO.
ITEM NUMBER 17 THIS ITEM WILL ALSO COVER ITEM NUMBER 18 CLERK, PLEASE READ.
>> RES41832 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING AND REAPPOINTING INDIVIDUALS TO THE TACOMA ARTS
COMMISSION.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 418
32.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON COUNCILMEMBER DIAZ.
>> Councilmember Diaz: THANK YOU MAYOR ON THE DECEMBER MEETING THE COMMITTEE CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS FOR THE TACOMA ARTS COMMISSION IN TACOMA CREATES ADVISORY BOARD AND RECOMMENDED THE APPOINTMENT AND REAPPOINTMENT OF THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS
TO THE TACOMA ARTS COMMISSION LINDSAY DODGE, DOMINIQUE KAREN, SIERRA McLEAN, JANESSA POST, EACH ONE PENN ELIZABETH PANNA MENNO AND SARAH JANE HOPE.
TO THE TACOMA CREATES ADVISORY BOARD ELAINA SURE KNOCKED AND INA KNOW.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER DIAZ ARE THERE ANY OTHER COUNCIL QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM OR ITEM NUMBER 18?
SEEING NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION 41832 PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
ITEM NUMBER 18, CLERK, PLEASE READ.
RES41833 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING INDIVIDUALS TO THE TACOMA CREATES ADVISORY BOARD
>> .
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 41833.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED.
DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COUNCIL RUSSIANS WERE COMMON?
COUNCILMEMBER DIAZ ARE YOU LOGGED IN?
OKAY.
SEEING NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION 41833 PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NOTE THE RESOLUTION IS DECLARED ADOPTED.
WE HAVE INVITED THE INDIVIDUALS BEING APPOINTED AND REAPPOINTED TO ATTEND THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON.
WHETHER YOU ARE ATTENDING VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING AND CONTINUE YOUR SERVICE ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THE LANDMARKS COMMISSION TACOMA ARTS COMMISSION IN TACOMA CREATES ADVISORY BOARD AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE
YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE ROOM WHO IS CURRENTLY APPOINTED?
PLEASE JOIN ME AND GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 19 CLERK, PLEASE READ.
>> RES41834 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO VARIOUS NATIONAL, STATE, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL COMMITTEES, BOARDS, AND COMMISSIONS, INCLUDING THE CITY COUNCIL'S STANDING COMMITTEES, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 41834.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED EACH YEAR WE CONFIRM OUR APPOINTMENT TO VARIOUS REGIONAL BOARDS AND COMMITMENTS INCLUDING OUR OWN DATING COUNCIL COMMITTEES THESE ROLES HELP US ENGAGE IN POLICY DISCUSSIONS ACROSS THE REGION THAT WILL IMPACT
OUR RESIDENTS AND ENSURE TACOMA IS WELL REPRESENTED.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COUNCIL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
ALSO MEMBER RUMBA?
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: THANK YOU MAYOR.
I WANT TO SAY THIS IS WHERE THE REAL WORK HAPPENS SERVING ON THESE DIFFERENT BOARD AROUND THE COMMUNITY AND LIKE STANDING UP AS A COUNCIL MEMBER FOR THE CITY OF TACOMA AND REPRESENTING YOUR VALUES AND NEEDS.
THIS WORK IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND I THINK IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO GET INVOLVED AND TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON THIS IS A GOOD LIST TO KEEP WITH YOU AND SEE WHAT WE ARE DOING AND YOU CAN ASK US ABOUT WHAT GOES ON IN THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES THAT WE
MIGHT SERVE ON OR THE BOARDS.
I WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.
I THINK PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE DO .
WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME DOING OTHER THINGS IN OTHER PLACES AND OTHER NON-VENUES.
MAYBE OTHER NONPROFITS OR COMMUNITY LEADERS AND GROUPS LIKE PARK TACOMA, THE SCHOOLS.
JUST GIVING THAT INFORMATION WE ALSO SERVE ON THINGS THAT ARE PART OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THAT AND KNOW THAT WE ARE REALLY WORKING HARD TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF TACOMA.
B1 THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER ARE THERE ANY OTHER RUSSIANS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL?
SEEING NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION 41834 PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
THE RESOLUTION IS DECLARED ADOPTED.
ITEM 20 CLERK PLEASE READ.
RES41835 A RESOLUTION NOMINATING AND ELECTING COUNCIL MEMBER JOE BUSHNELL TO THE OFFICE OF DEPUTY MAYOR TO SERVE A ONE-YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2026.
>>.
Councilmember Hines: I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 41835.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED THIS WILL APPOINT COUNCILMEMBER BUSHNELL AS DEPUTY MAYOR.
THE DEPUTY MAYOR SERVES AS SERVING IN THE MAYOR'S ABSENCE AND CONTINUING TO SERVE AS THE MAYOR WHEN THE MAYOR TAKES A LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE I WILL SAY THAT HAVING KNOWN MR.
BUSHELL OVER THE YEARS BOTH AS A FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE EMMA I HAVE SEEN TIRELESS REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY AND BEHALF OF SMALL BUSINESS.
THE WORK THAT HE HAS DONE IN CORE DOORS LIKE HOSMER STREET AND GENERAL ADVOCACY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS API IMMUNITY THE SOUTH END IN GENERAL CAN SERVE AS HIS CHARACTER AND DEVOTION OF THE CITY AND IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO NOMINATE
HIM.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
JOE?
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: THANK YOU MAYOR.
I WANT TO SEND MY APPRECIATION TO MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THIS ROLE.
IT TAKES A MAJORITY OF THE BODY TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND IT REALLY IS A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY FOR ALSO WANTING TO INTEREST ME WITH THIS ROLE AS WELL.
I REPRESENT STRICT FIVE STRONGLY AND I DO MY BEST TO ALSO REPRESENT CITY OF TACOMA AS A WHOLE ON MANY OF THE REGIONAL BOARDS AS MENTIONED BY COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO SERVE IN THIS WAY AND LISTENING TO EVERYBODY IN THE CITY AND I TRY TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS ON THEIR BEHALF.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: VERY GOOD ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL?
NONE WAS IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION 41835 HE SAY AYE.
OPPOSE SAY NO.
THE RESOLUTION PASSES.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN A RESOLUTE ELITE ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE].
MOVING ON TO ITEM 21 CLERK PLEASE READ.
RES41836 A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT TO PSOMAS INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,011,861.72, PLUSPPLICABLE TAXES, BUDGETED FROM THE TRANSPORTATION CAPITAL FUND, FOR PLANNING, DATA COLLECTION, AND DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE PORTLAND AVENUE VISION ZERO
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT - SPECIFICATION NO.
PW24-0308F.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 41836.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> Councilmember Sadalge: I HAVE ONE.
>> Mayor Ibsen: COUNCILMEMBER SADALGE?
11 I JUST WANTED TO ASK IF THIS WAS THE IMPROVEMENT FROM I-5 TO 56 STREET?
>> Mayor Ibsen: IS CHARLA KINLOW AVAILABLE?
>> Speaker: I AM CHARLA KINLOW AND I AM THE PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE PORTLAND AVENUE VISION ZERO PROJECT AND YES, COUNCILMEMBER THIS IS GOING FROM I-5 ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE EAST SIDE COMMUNITY BY 56
STREET.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: AND IF I RECALL CORRECTLY IS THIS THREE YEARS?
HOW LONG IS THIS FOR.[BLEEP] DEE.
>> Speaker: THIS IS A PLANNING STUDY.
HOW LONG WILL THE PLANNING STUDY TAKE DUDE ANTICIPATE?
>> Speaker: IS NOT REALLY PLANNING STUDY IS FOR DESIGNING THE PROJECT AS WELL.
WE CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE CONSTRUCTION FUNDING WE DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO GET THE WHOLE PROJECT CONSTRUCTED ABOUT TWO YEARS TO DESIGN.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: AND IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN THIS WILL ALSO TAKE A LOT OF COMMUNITY INPUT INTO THE DESIGN THAT WE DO COME UP WITH ON PORTLAND AVENUE?
>> Speaker: ABSOLUTELY YES.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: TO THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE WE ALL KNOW THAT PORTLAND AVENUE IS ABSOLUTELY A HIGH RISK FOUR-DOOR IN THIS CITY AND I AM SO GLAD THAT I AM HERE WHERE THEY ARE FINALLY PUTTING MONEY TOGETHER TO MOVE THIS ONE STEP
FORWARD TO EVENTUALLY CONSTRUCTION.
I KNOW WE WILL HAVE TO END UP ANY MONEY FOR THAT AND IT HAPPENS BUT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THE COOL DESIGNS THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ON PORTLAND AVENUE.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTIONS AND YOUR EXPLANATION.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS TOPIC?
SEEING NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION 41836 SAY AYE.
ALL THOSE WHO SAY NOTE THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
ITEM NUMBER 22 CLERK, PLEASE READ.
>> RES41837 A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT TO R.L.
ALIA COMPANY, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,107,365.00, PLUS A 15 PERCENT CONTINGENCY, BUDGETED FROM VARIOUS FUNDS, FOR ROADWAY SURFACE IMPROVEMENTS, ADA-COMPLIANT CURB RAMPS, STORMWATER MAIN REPLACEMENT, AND A NEW PEDESTRIAN AND
BICYCLE CONNECTION, FOR A PROJECTED CONTRACT TOTAL OF $4,723,469.75, PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES - SPECIFICATION NO.
PW25-0198F.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 41837.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER COUNCIL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
I'M SORRY COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH?
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: CAN I KNOW WHERE THIS IS GOING?
IS IT ALL OVER THE CITY?
I'M JUST CURIOUS.
>> Mayor Ibsen: ALL RIGHT IS VERONICAH MUNYAO AVAILABLE?
GOOD EVENING.
>> Speaker: GOOD EVENING.
I AM VERONICAH MUNYAO ENGINEERING PROJECT MANAGER LEADING THIS PROJECT.
SO YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE LOCATION OF THE PROJECT?
THIS IS GOING TO COVER VARIOUS STREET.
LEADING UP TO TACOMA MALL BOULEVARD AND THE I-5 OFFRAMP AND CONNECT 56 AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE OUR VICINITY MAP TO GIVE YOU THE FULL DETAILS OF THE LOCATION.
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?
ALL RIGHT HEARING ON ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION 41837 PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
ALL OPPOSE SAY NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS DECLARED ADOPTED MOVING ON TO ITEM 23 CLERK, PLEASE READ.
>> RES41838 A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT TO US OIL AND REFINING CO., IN THE AMOUNT
OF $3,218,750.00, PLUS A 35 PERCENT CONTINGENCY, BUDGETED FROM THE ASPHALT PLANT FUND, FOR BULK ASPHALT OILS, FOR AN INITIAL CONTRACT TERM OF FIVE YEARS, FOR A PROJECTED CONTRACT TOTAL OF $4,345,312.50, PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES -
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 41838.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER COUNCIL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
COUNCIL MEMBER HINES?
>> Councilmember Hines: I WILL MAKE THIS REALLY QUICK.
WE ARE PURCHASING OIL FROM US OIL FOR THE ASPHALT THIS IS FOR OUR ASPHALT PLANT FOR THE CITY OF TACOMA IS THAT CORRECT?
>> Speaker: CORRECT.
>> Councilmember Hines: SO THE OF THE THAT WE PURCHASED A SEPARATE?
>> Speaker: IT IS SEPARATE.
>> Councilmember Hines: YOU VERY MUCH.
B1 ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
SEEING NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION 41838 SAY AYE.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED ITEM NUMBER 24, CLERK, PLEASE READ.
>> RES41839 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE TO AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT WITH
HERRERA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,589,181, BUDGETED FROM THE STORMWATER FUND, TO CONTINUE A FIELD STUDY TO MONITOR STORMWATER AND STORM SEDIMENTS FOR CONTAMINANTS OF EMERGING CONCERNS, FOR A PROJECTED CONTRACT TOTAL
OF $2,799,468, PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES, THROUGH APRIL 30, 2028 - ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING ROSTER CONTRACT NO.
CW2265700.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 41839.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER COUNCIL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
SEEING NONE EVERYONE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION 41839 SAY AYE.
ALL OPPOSE SAY NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED MOVING ON TO ITEM 25 CLERK, PLEASE READ.
>> RES41840 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR A LOW-INTEREST DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND LOAN FROM THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IN
THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $1,000,000, FOR TWO WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT
PROJECTS.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION OR 18
ZERO.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON MR.
MARC POWELL.
>> Speaker: GOOD EVENING MAYOR IBSEN AND MEMBERS OF THE TACOMA CITY COUNCIL MY NAME IS MARC POWELL AND ANALYSTS WITH TACOMA WATER.
TODAY I AM HERE REQUESTING YOUR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NUMBER 41840 WHICH WOULD AUTHORIZE TACOMA WATER TO APPLY FOR LOW INTEREST DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND LOAN FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
IF SUCCESSFUL PROCEEDS FROM THIS LOAN WILL BE USED TO FUND TWO MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECTS THAT WOULD REMOVE GALVANIZED AND PLASTIC MAIN N ON 8TH ST., SOUTH AND SOUTH D STREET AND REPLACE IT WITH EIGHT INCH DUCTILE IRON PIPE AND REPLACE ASSOCIATED
VALVES AND FITTINGS AND ADD FIRE HYDRANTS.
THE BASIC SUITDETAILS OF THE LOAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT WILL BE $1,085,298.
THE INTEREST RATE IS EXPECTED TO BE WHICH IS A VERY GOOD INTEREST RATE WHEN WE LOOK AT OTHER WAYS OF BORROWING FUNDS WE OFTEN LOOK AT BONDS WHICH HOVER AROUND A 3% MARK SO THIS IS A VERY FAVORABLE INTEREST RATE FOR US.
THE PAYBACK TERM WOULD BE 24 YEARS.
WE EXPECT TO GET A SUBSIDY OF 50% LOAN FORGIVENESS AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE PROJECT.
SO POTENTIALLY GET $500,000 BACK FOR THE RATEPAYERS.
IF THE COUNCIL APPROVES THE RESOLUTION THEN TACOMA WATER WILL RETURN THE FINAL READING AND THEN IF THE APPLICATION IS SUCCESSFUL WE WILL COME BACK AND WORK TO EXECUTE THAT AGREEMENT WITH YOU AS WELL AND WITH THAT I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> Mayor Ibsen: WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL?
COUNCILMEMBER WALKER?
>> Councilmember Walker: I'M CURIOUS AND MAYBE COUNCILMEMBER DIAZ KNOWS THIS IS THE FIRST RANT THAT COMES THROUGH WITH THE PROCESS OR WOULD THIS HAVE COME FORWARD ALREADY?
I'M SORRY CITY MANAGER.
>> City Manager: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER WALKER.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED SUCCESSFULLY SOMETIME THIS YEAR BUT THE RESOLUTION DIRECTOR DID NOT EVEN HAVE THE COMPLETE FOR THE START OF 27 SO THIS IS NOT PART OF THAT LAUNCH.
>> Councilmember Walker: THANK YOU FOR THAT THIS GRANT WOULD HAVE COME TO US OR THE APPLICATION WOULD HAVE COME FORWARD FOR APPROVAL ANYWAY?
>> City Manager: CORRECT WE WILL WORK WITH DIRECTOR FLOWERS THIS YEAR.
>> Councilmember Walker: THANK
YOU.
>> Speaker: AND THIS WOULD BE A LOW INTEREST LOAN SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN A GRANT.
>> Councilmember Walker: MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE, THANKS.
>> Mayor Ibsen: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU MARC POWELL FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPT RESOLUTION 18 40 SAY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO.
MOVING ON TO ITEM 26 CLERK, PLEASE READ.
>> RES41841 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CANCELLATION OF THE FOLLOWING EIGHT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND EIGHT REGULAR STUDY SESSIONS IN 2026: JANUARY 20, FEBRUARY 17, MARCH
17, MAY 26, SEPTEMBER 8, NOVEMBER 24, DECEMBER 22, AND DECEMBER
29.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 41841.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED WE HAVE A MOTION BEFORE US.
> Councilmember Hines: I MOVE TO AMEND BY INSERTING THE DATES APRIL 7TH AND SEPTEMBER 1ST.
>> Councilmember: SECOND.
>> Mayor Ibsen: MOVED AND SECONDED I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON COUNCILMEMBER HINES AND COUNCILMEMBER DIAZ.
>> Councilmember Hines: YES THANK YOU MAYOR.
WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE THANKS TO THE VOTERS BACK IN 2024 WE CHANGED THE PROCESS OF EATING SO WE NEED TO HAVE ANY GIVEN YEAR INCLUDING US TO NOT COUNTS THAT HE SESSIONS AND SPECIAL MEETINGS AS PART OF OUR OVERALL TOTAL WHICH IS FLEXIBLE FOR WHEN
WE NEED TO HOLD OUR BUSINESS MEETINGS.
WE HAVE MADE PRETTY CONSISTENT CANCELLATIONS AND MEETINGS AROUND FEDERAL HOLIDAYS.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT COUNCILMEMBER DIAZ AND I DISCUSSED IN THE PAST THE AUGUST TIME PERIOD TENDS TO BE SLOWER WHEN IT COMES TO POLICYMAKING SO WE ARE ALREADY CHANGING THE SEPTEMBER 2ND FOR LABOR DAY.
WE WANTED TO CONDUCT A TWO WEEK BREAK.
IT'S USUALLY THE SLOWER TIME FOR POLICYMAKING HERE AND A LOT OF OUR STAFF MAKERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CONSTITUENTS ARE OUT ENJOYING SUMMER BREAK.
WE DO THIS BEFORE WE MOVE INTO THE INTENSE PERIOD THAT COMES AFTER BUDGET MAKING.
WE ALSO ADDED THE DATE APRIL 7TH WHICH COINCIDES WITH TACOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPRING BREAK WHICH IS ALSO TIME WHERE WE HAVE STAFF MEMBERS, CONSTITUENTS AND COUNCILMEMBERS OFTEN LOOKING TO TAKE BREAKS AND THERE'S LESS GOING ON AT THAT COUNCIL MEETING.
TRYING TO BEST BALANCE THE SCHEDULED MEETINGS WITH WHEN OUR PUBLIC IS PAYING ATTENTION AND WHEN OUR PUBLIC IS ENGAGED AND LEADING IT TO SOME OF THE TRANSPARENCY WE WANT TO SEE ON THE COUNCIL GOING FORWARD.
I AM PROPOSING THAT WE HAVE THESE TWO DATES TO SCHEDULE FOR CANCELLATIONS AND I WOULD HAVE COUNCILMEMBER DIAZ AT ANYTHING IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO JOIN.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THESE OVEN MITTS FORWARD.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL COUNCIL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
SEEING NONE THE VOTE IS TO AMEND RESOLUTION 41841 ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
ALL OPPOSE SIGNIFY BY SAYING NAY.
THE MOTION IS DECLARED ADOPTED.
RESOLUTION 41841 AS AMENDED IS BEFORE US.
AS NOTED THIS RESOLUTION WOULD CANCEL THE FOLLOWING TUESDAYS.
GENERALLY 20TH, FEBRUARY 17, MARCH 17, APRIL 7TH, MAY 26, SEPTEMBER 1ST, SEPTEMBER 8, NOVEMBER 24TH, DECEMBER 22ND AND DECEMBER 29TH.
THE FOLLOWING TRADITIONAL COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR TUESDAYS.
THEY FOLLOW A HOLIDAY EACH YEAR.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL COUNCIL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
SEEING NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTING RESOLUTION 41841 AS AMENDED PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS DECLARED ADOPTED.
MOVING ON TO FINAL READING OF ORDINANCES ITEM 27 CLERK, PLEASE READ.
>> ORD29079 AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A NON-EXCLUSIVE TEN-YEAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FRANCHISE AGREEMENT TO SQF, LLC DBA VERTA, TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, AND REPAIR A TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM IN THE CITY.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THIS ITEM WAS PRESENTED DECEMBER 22ND ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL COUNCIL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
COUNCILMEMBER PALMER.
>> Councilmember Palmer: WE ARE VOTING ON THIS TONIGHT, RIGHT?
>> Mayor Ibsen: CORRECT.
>> Councilmember Palmer: I THINK I WILL ABSTAIN BECAUSE I WAS NOT AROUND FOR THE DISCUSSION SO JUST FYI.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER PALMER.
DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COUNCIL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
IF NONE CLERK, PLEASE CALL ROLL.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: AYE.
>> Councilmember Diaz: AYE.
>> Councilmember Hines: AYE C7
ABSTAINING.
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: AYE.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: AYE.
>> Councilmember Scott: AYE.
>> Councilmember Walker: AYE.
>> Mayor Ibsen: AYE.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THE ORDINANCE IS DECLARED PASSED.
ITEM 28 OR, PLEASE READ.
>> ORD29087 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6A.70 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO LOCAL OPTION TAXES, BY ADDING NEW SECTIONS 6A.70.043 AND 6A.70.044, AND IMPOSING A LOCAL ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX, TO FUND INVESTMENTS IN CRIMINAL
JUSTICE, EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2026.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THIS ITEM WAS PRESENTED DECEMBER 9TH, 2025 ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL COUNCIL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
DEPUTY MAYOR BUSHNELL?
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: THANK YOU MAYOR.
I JUST WANTED TO -THIS IS A SALES TAX INCREASE THAT WILL BE IMPOSED ONTO THE RESIDENCE OF TACOMA I WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO LET FOLKS KNOW THAT WE HAVE VERY LIMITED FUNDS AND WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR US IS DICTATED TO US BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE
THAT THE TOOLS THAT THE RECENT LEGISLATURE HAS GIVEN US IN ORDER TO HELP FILL SOME BUDGET CONSTRAINTS WITHIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGETS IN PARTICULAR AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE OUR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM AS A SPILL WAS GOING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THEY FOUND SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THE LANGUAGE TO ALLOW MANY OF OUR DIFFERENT PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE
AND OTHER THINGS.
PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY IS NOT JUST A POLICE RESPONSE.
IT IS A WHOLE PICTURE OF COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES THE SALES TAX IS GOING TO HELP US TO FUND THOSE VITALLY IMPORTANT PROGRAMS.
WITH THAT BEING SAID THIS IS A SALES TAX AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT A SALES TAX IN MY OPINION IS A VERY REGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND CAN IMPACT COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT CAN LEAST AFFORD IT BECAUSE OF THE WAY IN WHICH THEY ARE IMPOSED ON OUR COMMUNITY.
AGAIN THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW OPTIONS GIVEN TO US BY THE LEGISLATURE AND I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS TONIGHT.
I DO APPRECIATE OUR LEGISLATURE FOR GIVING US THIS OPTION AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO OTHER OPTIONS THAT WE CAN DO WITH THIS.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU DEPUTY MAYOR.
COUNCILMEMBER
PALMER.
>>>.
>> Councilmember Palmer: I ECHO DEPUTY MAYOR BUSHNELL'S COMMENTS ABOUT TAXES.
TAXES ARE NEVER FUN.
THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US IN ORDER TO FULFILL SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AT THE CITY.
SO A NUMBER OF COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME WITH SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TAX AND I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A SECOND TO ADDRESS THOSE QUESTIONS.
OUR CITY MANAGER AND DIRECTOR OF FINANCE HAS ALSO ADDRESSED THIS AND THEY DID A GOOD JOB OF SPEAKING BUT I WANTED TO ADDRESS THEM FOR CLARITY.
FIRST THIS LEGISLATION ONLY AUTHORIZES 1/10 OF 1% SALES TAX.
WE ARE NOT DECIDING TONIGHT HOW THE CITY WILL USE THIS NEW REVENUE OR WHAT SERVICES IT WILL HELP FUND.
THE STATE DOES REQUIRE THAT WE USE THE REVENUE FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PURPOSES BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO USE THIS REVENUE ONLY FOR OUR POLICE FORCE.
THE STATE HAS GIVEN US A BROAD DEFINITION OF SERVICES IN THIS LIST INCLUDES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DIVERSIONS PROGRAMS, REENTRY WORK FOR INMATES AND ALTERNATIVE RESPONSES AND PROGRAMS.
MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER SERVICES.
THE SECOND ISSUE I WANTED TO CLARIFY IS THAT THE STATE REQUIRES US TO ENSURE THAT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATES IN A VARIETY OF TRAININGS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS TAX.
THESE TRAININGS INCLUDE VIOLENCE DE-ESCALATION TECHNIQUES MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING SPECIAL TRAINING FOR TRAUMA INFORMED GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE INVESTIGATIONS.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD OR YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD BEFORE I GOT HERE TO SET HIGH STANDARDS FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND EMPLOYEES THAT THE STATE IS TYING THIS FUNDING TO THESE TYPES OF ONGOING TRAININGS FOR OUR POLICE
OFFICERS AND I THINK IT IS VITAL THAT WE ENSURE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT REDUCES HARM AND VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I BELIEVE THIS LEGISLATION AND TRAININGS THAT ARE REQUIRED WITH ELIGIBILITY WILL HELP US ADVANCE TO THAT IMPORTANT GOAL.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO DISCUSSING HOW WE MIGHT USE THIS REVENUE IN THE FUTURE IN THE COMING MONTH AND I'M EXCITED TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT US TO PRIORITIZE.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER PALMER.
COUNCILMEMBER SADALGE?
>> Councilmember Sadalge: THANK YOU.
I'M GOING TO BE HONEST.
I WANTED TO BE A VERY STRONG NO ON THIS.
I WANTED TO BE A STRONG NO ON THIS BECAUSE OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO ARE JUST TIRED OF BEING TAXED.
OF HAVING EVERYONE OF THEIR COSTS GO UP.
AND THEN I GOT ANGRY.
I GOT ANGRY BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A STATE WHICH HAS SUCH A REGRESSIVE SYSTEM WHERE WE EXTENSIVELY ARE TAXING POOR PEOPLE TO HELP POOR PEOPLE BECAUSE 1/10 OF 1% FOR MANY OF US IS NOT MUCH OF ANYTHING.
BUT YOU ADD THAT AND YOU BUILD THAT TO THE NEEDIEST PEOPLE IN OUR IMMUNITIES AND THAT ADDS UP.
I WISH WE HAD A FAIRER WAY.
OF TAXING.
WE HAVE A REGRESSIVE SYSTEM NOT JUST BASED ON THE FACT THAT A SALES TAX CHARGES THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MONEY THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF THEIR TOTAL INCOME.
BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE A STRUCTURE ON A LOCAL LEVEL THAT STRUCTURALLY ALSO EFFECTIVELY KEEPS US FROM KEEPING UP WITH EVEN INFLATION.
WHERE EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE CERTAIN RATES OF TAXES WE REALLY AS A CITY THE GENERAL FUND IS NOT GROWING MUCH MORE THAN 2% PER YEAR.
WE'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF KEEPING THE INFLATION RATE OR COST INCREASE RATE OVER 3% BUT THAT'S LITERALLY AN ENTIRE PERCENT THAT WE ARE ALWAYS BEHIND.
IT ENDS UP COSTING US SERVICE LEVELS.
AND INVARIABLY WE COME BACK AND WE FIND A NEW FEE.
WE FOUND SOME OTHER WAY OF FINDING ADDITIONAL REVENUE AND IT BECOMES JARRING.
IT BECOMES GALLING AND IT STARTS ERODING TRUST.
WE HAVE TO FACE THAT BACK THAT THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE SITTING UP HERE AND WE ARE SAYING WE NEED THIS MONEY TO KEEP UP AND SO WE ARE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO TAX SOMEONE A LITTLE HIGHER.
EVERY DAY WHEN SOMEONE GOES AND BUYS A CUP OF COFFEE OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT THEY ARE BUYING THEY ARE GOING TO SEE ON THERE RECEIPT AND OTHER 10TH OF 1%.
THEY ARE GOING TO KNOW THAT WE ARE THE ONES THAT DID IT, RIGHT?
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE ALL SITTING UP HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS.
WHAT I WANT TO IMPLORE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE IF THERE IS A SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE IN THIS STATE IT IS THE TAXING SYSTEM.
I HOPE THERE IS AS MUCH ENERGY AND WANTING TO COME UP WITH A BETTER MORE PROGRESSIVE SYSTEM ACROSS THIS STATE THAT CAN HELP US MANAGE OUR FINANCES APPROPRIATELY.
AS I SIT HERE, LIKE I SAID AND I REALIZE MY JOB HERE IS TO BE A RESPONSIBLE GOVERNOR FOR THE CITY AND I LOOK AT THE PROGRAMS THAT WE AS A CITY, WILL ARE VERY MUCH ON THE FOREFRONT OF FUNDING ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE MODELS FOR EXAMPLE.
AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
I HAVE TO WEIGH THIS INHERENT DISTASTEFUL THIS LET'S SAY TO BE DIPLOMATIC BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT WORSE WORDS THAT I COULD USE WITH HOW I FEEL WITH WHAT THIS MONEY CAN HELP US TO WHICH CAN HE DO WE KEEP SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS THAT WE DO NOT HAVE
SUSTAINABLE REVENUE SOURCES TO KEEP GOING.
I IMPLORE EVERY ONE OF US UP HERE TO BE CAUTIOUS, TO BE THOUGHTFUL AT THE BUDGET.
TO THINK ABOUT THIS NOT AS A FUND THAT ALLOWS US TO EXPAND OUR BUDGET GREATLY BUT TO KEEP FUNDING IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER SOME OF THE REALLY GOOD PROGRAMS WE HAVE ALREADY PUT TOGETHER AND TO MAKE THEM BE THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT MAKE OUR CITY
STRONGER.
AT THE END OF THE DAY I AM GOING TO SAY YES AND I'M GOING TO FEEL TERRIBLE ABOUT IT.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER SADALGE.
COUNCILMEMBER HINES?
>> Councilmember Hines: THANK YOU MR.
MAYOR.
FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO REITERATE THE FACT THAT MY COLLEAGUES, NO ONE RUNS FOR OFFICE WITH THE GOAL OF RAISING TAXES AND PEOPLE OFTEN STRUGGLE TO PAY THEM.
WE HAVE A REGRESSIVE TAX FUND AND THOSE ARE ALL IMPORTANT POINTS.
FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU TO THE STAFF AND ALL THE WORK YOU'VE DONE.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE EMPLOYEES OF WHICH WE IMPLEMENT THIS IF WE IMPLEMENT IT AND VOTE BY IT I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM BUT HOW DO WE BETTER ALLOCATE THESE DOLLARS TO PAY FOR THE SERVICES WE ARE LOOKING FOR?
I DO THINK THIS CONVERSATION I WOULD MAKE SURE WE BRING IT BACK IN A FEW MONTHS WE HAVE A FURTHER CONVERSATION BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT WHILE I AM HESITATE TO RAISE TAXES BECAUSE I KNOW HOW REGRESSIVE SALES TAXES ARE I ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT ONE
OF THE OTHER REASONS FOR THE COST OF PROVIDING PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY IS WE HAVE EXPANDED THE DEFINITION OF WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY MEANS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS I STARTED ON THE COUNCIL WE HAVE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT SINCE
THEN WE HAVE ADDED A HOPE TEAM, A HEEL TEAM, WE HAD A HOPE TEAM BUT WE EXPANDED HOPE TEAM WE ADDED COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS, WE ARE LOOKING TO ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE MODELS.
WE ARE GROWING WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO PAY FOR THROUGH PUBLIC SAFETY AND ONE OF THE WAYS WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT IS BY ASKING THE RESIDENTS TO PAY.
I THINK WE CAN TALK ABOUT LOOKING AT A MORE FAIR SYSTEM HOW WE TAX PEOPLE AND WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THAT IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
I WOULD HOPE THAT WE HOLD ONTO THIS AS WE MOVE INTO THE BUDGET SITE WILL AND WE START INKING ABOUT HOW DO WE BEST ALLOCATE THESE DOLLARS IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE TO THE COMMUNITY.
ONE THING I'VE NOTICED IN MY SIX ALMOST 6 YEARS ON THE COUNCIL NO ONE HAS COME TO US AND SAID I WANT LESS.
EVERYONE HAS COME TO US AND SAID I WANT MORE SO THIS IS A GOOD CONVERSATION TO BE HAD AS WE THINK ABOUT IT, HOW DO WE BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY WITH THE RESOURCES WE HAVE WORKING WITH THE STAFF AND COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT IS TRANSPARENT
GETS US CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE COMMUNITY AND SAFETY PLAN WE HAVE IN PLACE I THINK THAT SOMETHING WE COULD KEEP AT THE TOP OF THE MIND.
I WILL BE VOTING IN SUPPORT MOSTLY BECAUSE THE ONE THING WE HEARD FROM THE RESIDENT OF THE CITY OVER THE LAST YEAR THAT THEY WANTED GREATER PERCEPTIONS AND A SENSE OF SAFETY.
I HAVE VERY LIMITED FUNCTIONS AND INVESTING IN MORE SAFETY WHEN THAT'S THE NUMBER 1 THING I HEAR WHILE I DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE TAX SYSTEM IN WHICH WE ARE ADDRESSING.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER HINES.
COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH?
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: THANK YOU MAYOR.
I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE COMMENTS FOR COUNCILMEMBER HINES AND COUNCILMEMBER SADALGE AS WELL.
I THINK I SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY.
THE EROSION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELP IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I SEE IT TIED TO YOUTH VIOLENCE AND GUN VIOLENCE THAT WE SEE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH OUR YOUTH AND THIS IS A WAY TO DO SOMETHING TENTATIVE.
AND THAT IS WHERE I SEE THIS.
I SEE IT IN OUR COURTS HAVING A COURT APPOINTED ADVOCATE WHICH WE DON'T HAVE IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT BUT I ALSO SEE IT AS SUPPORTING SOMETHING WE CARE ABOUT IN OUR COMMUNITY WHICH IS THE CRYSTAL HUDSON CENTER WHICH I SIT ON THE BOARD WITH ALONG
WITH MY VICE CHAIR WHICH IS JAMIKA SCOTT.
I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WHEN I FIRST GOT ON THE COUNCIL THIS IS WHAT I TALKED ABOUT WHEN THE REPORTER GOT TO ME AND ASKED WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT I SAID I WANT TO TALK ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT.
SHE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN THE CONVERSATION BUT I AM AND WANT TO CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT IT IN THIS IS A WAY TO FUND THAT SO WE ARE NOT LOOKING TO SAY THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT AND WE SEE IT AND THIS IS MONEY THAT IS ACTUALLY FOR
THAT AND I LIKE THAT BECAUSE WHEN IT IS JUST SITTING IN THE GENERAL FUND MAYBE THAT MONEY GOES AWAY.
I DON'T WANT IT TO GO AWAY.
I WANT TO CONTINUE TO SEE THIS AS AN IMPORTANT THING.
THE RATES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CONTINUES TO INCREASE IN OUR COUNTY AND CITY AND EVERY DAY WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CRIME REPORT THERE'S SOME TYPE OF DEATH OR VIOLENCE THAT HAS HAPPENED THAT IS RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
I APPRECIATE MY COUNCIL I AM GOING TO BE SUPPORTING YES ON THIS AND I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SET UP FOR OUR TAX SYSTEM BUT WE DON'T.
THAT IS UNFORTUNATE.
IT'S IN OUR CONSTITUTION THE WAY IT IS WRITTEN UP THAT WE DON'T HAVE AN INCOME TAX WHICH I THINK DOES CREATE THE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE CREATING THE VICTIMS WOULD HAVE TO BE THE ONES PAYING FOR THIS WHICH DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT.
I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE THE VOICE TO STAND UP FOR THESE SILENT PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT THERE STRUGGLING WITH THIS ISSUE.
I APPRECIATE COUNCIL AND I LOOK FORWARD TO US PASSING THIS TONIGHT.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: AN COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH AND I TO SHARE THE SENTIMENTS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY IF NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
I WOULD BE THE FIRST TO EXPRESS MY DEEP FRUSTRATION WITH THE REGRESSIVE THE AND UNFAIRNESS OF THE STATE TAX CODE.
THE REALITY IS THAT VOTERS HAVE EXPRESSED TO US TIME AND TIME AGAIN MOREOVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO THE DESIRE TO FEEL SAFER IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.
OUR NEIGHBORS SCHOOLS COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
WE CAN WALK AND CHEW GUM AT THE SAME TIME AND WE CAN ADVOCATE WITH OUR STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS FOR A FAIR AND MORE JUST SYSTEM OF REVENUE TO PAY FOR CORE SERVICES AND AT THE SAME TIME WE CANNOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF MAKING THE PERFECT GOOD.
PEOPLE NEED ASSISTANCE AND MORE SUPPORT AND PEOPLE NEED TO FEEL EVEN SAFER NOW.
TO THE END I WILL SUPPORT THIS INCREASE NOT WITH AN EYE TOWARDS THROWING MONEY AT SOMETHING BROADLY SPEAKING BUT WITH VERY INTENTIONAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT THE SPECIFIC RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS GOING TO BE AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO SPECIFICALLY
ALIGN THESE NEW ALLOCATED FUNDS WITH THESE NEW IMMUNITY SAFETY ACTION STRATEGY WITH WORKING TOWARDS THE FULL AND HOPEFULLY EVEN GREATER STAFFING OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS.
THOSE WILL BE THE FACTORS THAT I MYSELF WILL BE LOOKING VERY INTENTLY AT.
AND WITH THAT WITH NO FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CLERK, PLEASE CALL ROLL?
>> Councilmember Diaz: AYE.
>> Councilmember Hines: AYE.
>> Councilmember Palmer: AYE.
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: AYE.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: AYE.
>> Councilmember Scott: AYE.
>> Councilmember Walker: AYE.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: AYE.
>> Mayor Ibsen: AYE.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THE ORDINANCE IS DECLARED PASSED.
MOVING ONTO FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES ITEM 29 CLERK, PLEASE READ.
>> ORD29091 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 12.10 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO WATER - REGULATIONS AND RATES, BY AMENDING SECTION 12.10.310, ENTITLED SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE, FOR CHARGE ADJUSTMENTS AND ANNUAL INCREASES, EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY
1, 2026.
>> Mayor Ibsen: VERY GOOD I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON MR.
ANDREW ZAREMBA FOR A PRESENTATION ON THIS MATTER.
>> Speaker: GOOD EVENING MAYOR IPSEN AND MEMBERS OF THE TACOMA CITY COUNCIL MY NAME IS ANDREW ZAREMBA AND I'M AN ECONOMIST WITH TACOMA WATER.
WERE HERE TONIGHT TO ASK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ON ORDINANCE 290912 AMEND TACOMA MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 10 WATER REGULATIONS AND RATE SECTIONS 310 SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT IS TO ESTABLISH AN ADJUSTMENT SCHEDULE FOR THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGES ALSO KNOWN AS STC BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 26 THROUGH JANUARY 1 23.
THIS IS A ONE-TIME CHARGE ASSESSED AT THE TIME OF CONNECTION FEE TO THE UTILITY WATER SYSTEM AND IS INTENDED TO REPRESENT AN EQUITABLE SHARE OF PAST AND FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTMENTS.
KEEPING THESE CHARGES IN LINE WITH ACTUAL UTILITY COST HELPS ENSURE THAT EXISTING RATEPAYERS ARE NOT OVERBURDENED WITH THE COST OF SYSTEM EXPANSION.
TO SUPPORT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TACOMA WATER PRESENTED TO THE TACOMA PUBLIC UTILITY BOARD AT STUDY SESSION TO THE MASTER BUILDER ASSOCIATION THE TACOMA PER MINUTE ADVISORY GROUP, TACOMA GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND HELD A PUBLIC
HEARING AT THE PUBLIC UTILITY BOARD EVENING SESSION.
I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>> Mayor Ibsen: ARE THERE ANY OTHER COUNCIL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
COUNCILMEMBER HINES?
COUNCILMEMBER HINES.
>> Councilmember Hines: THANK YOU MAYOR.
WE HAD THIS IN GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND FINANCE AND AS A REMINDER WHAT WAS THIS BEHIND MAKING THE UPDATES?
YOU TALKED ABOUT THE MEETING BUT WHAT IS THE IMPETUS BEHIND THE CHANGES?
>> Speaker: SURE THERE'S A NUMBER OF REASONS WE DECIDED TO BRING THIS TO THE COUNCIL.
ONE OF THE REASONS IT'S BEEN FIVE YEARS SINCE OUR UPDATE IN 2019 AND THERE'S BEEN A NUMBER OF INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS ACTUALLY MADE ON YOUR SYSTEM AS WELL AS CHANGES IN OUR FUTURE CAPITAL PLAN AND WE WANTED TO BE SURE WE ARE INCORPORATING
INTO THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE.
WHAT IS ALSO LET'S US TO IS WITH THE ADJUSTMENT SCHEDULE WE ARE PROPOSING THE ORDINANCE GIVES US A NICE MILE MARKER BY WHICH WE CAN REVIEW THE CHARGES AGAIN AND DETERMINE IF THEY ARE APPROPRIATE FOR THE CHARGES AT THE TIME AND ALSO TODAY BEING
AN OFF BUDGET YEAR GIVES THE STAFF THE RESOURCES TO TAKE ON SOME OF THE MODELING WORK AND WORKING WITH CONSULTANTS TO ENSURE WE ARE BRINGING FORWARD THE RIGHT PROPOSAL.
>> Councilmember Hines: THAT'S A GREAT POINT.
WE ARE MOVING INTO THE RATESETTING YEAR COMING AHEAD IN 2026.
THE REASON IT WAS DONE OUTSIDE OF THE RATESETTING PROCESS IS THAT THERE WAS CAPACITY IN 2025 AND THEN WE PROPOSE A DESIR.[BLEEP]
DEE.
>> Speaker: THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS.
IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO DO IT ALONGSIDE BUDGET AND RATES BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES A CONVERSATION WITH A CONSULTANT AND ALONGSIDE BUDGET AND RATES CAN BE LIMITING.
>> Councilmember Hines: AGAIN THE IRP PROCESS FOR TACOMA WATER WAS COMPLETED WHEN OR IS IN PROCESS NOW?
>> Speaker: DID YOU SAY THE IRP THE INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN.
I BELIEVE THAT IS ONGOING AND MORE FOR A SYSTEM AND SUPPLY AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING.
I BELIEVE IT IS IN PROGRESS OR NEARLY DONE.
>> Speaker: YES THAT IS IN PROCESS.
WE HAVE AN UPDATE EXPECTED THIS YEAR.
>> Councilmember Hines: OKAY.
THIS WAS THE INCREASE TO THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGES SHOULD FIT WITH WHAT IS DEVELOPED OUT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE RESOURCE PLAN IS SHOULD FIT TOGETHER WELL SO ARE WE PROJECTING OUT THAT THIS WILL BE NEEDED AS PART OF THE IRP PROCESS?
>> Speaker: YES.
THEY WILL BE CONSISTENT.
THE PLANNING COMING OUT OF THE INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN THAT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IS REFLECTED IN THE CHARGES.
I WILL SAY THAT STC CHARGES ARE INTENDED TO CAPTURE OUR CURRENT INVESTMENTS AND NOT FUTURE INVESTMENT.
>> Speaker: STATE LAW ALLOWS US TO INCLUDE 10 YEARS OF OUR CAPITAL PORTFOLIO WHAT IS APPLICABLE TO THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE.
THE INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN IS LOOKING FURTHER THAN THAT SO REINCORPORATE THE OVERLAP IN WHAT IS AN CORPORATIVE BUT THE RESOURCE PLAN GOES FURTHER THAN THE.
>> Councilmember Hines: I THINK WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION DURING GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND FINANCE AND WITH THESE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGES PUT INTO TACOMA IN - I'M SORRY I THINK I'M GIVEN THE JEOPARDY QUIZ, IN THE 90S.
I'LL SAY THAT OUT LOUD.
I THINK MY BROADER CONCERN THAT I ARTICULATED WITH THE GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS WE SEEM TO BE RAISING RATES ON ALMOST EVERY PIECE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY RIGHT NOW.
AND THIS IS JUST A PART OF IT.
NOT ONLY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE FOR WATER AND STORMWATER IMPACT, TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT AND NOW WATER IN SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGES I AM GETTING CONCERNED THAT ALL OF THESE PIECES ARE MOVING TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME AND
WHILE YOU HAVE ALL BEEN VERY CLEAR THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGES ARE MUCH LOWER THAN ANYONE ELSE WHICH IS VERY CLEAR TO THIS IS NOTHING RELATED TO YOUR WORK.
I'M JUST ARTICULATING THESE BROADER CONCERNS THAT I HAVE.
IT SEEMS AS IF EVERY PART OF THE ORGANIZATION IS MOVING COSTS WHEN THE COUNCIL HAS OFTEN TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE NEED MORE HOUSING IN SOME OF THE COST TO DEVELOPMENT IS A REAL BARRIER.
SOME OF THE HOUSING WE WANT TO SEE WE JUST WENT THROUGH THIS LONG PROCESS IN HOME IN TACOMA TO ALLOW MORE HOUSING.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN INKING ABOUT AND I BROUGHT IT TO THE BOARD OF FINANCE AND I WILL CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT IT BUT I DO WE VALUE THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE AND I UNDERSTAND HOW WE HAVE LANDED HERE AND WHY WE ARE MOVING FORWARD AT THIS
POINT IN TIME.
I THINK THAT BROADER PHILOSOPHICAL POINT SHOULD BE MADE.
THE OTHER PART THAT I REMEMBERED WE HAVEN'T CHANGED FOR 2019 BUT DIDN'T WE LOWER THEM AT SOME POINT IN TIME?
>> Speaker: THE 2019 UPDATE WAS THE FIRST OF THE SINCE 2024.
THAT STUDY DID RESULT IN THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE AT THE TIME.
THERE IS A POSSIBILITY FOR THAT TO HAPPEN DEPENDING ON THE MAKEUP OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PORTFOLIO AS WELL AS DEPENDING ON THE AVAILABILITY FOR WATER RESOURCES IF WE DRILL ADDITIONAL WELLS AND HAVE ADDITIONAL SUPPLY YOU ARE SPREADING THE COST
OF A LARGER CAPACITY SO IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE STUDY TO RESULT IN A LOWER CHARGE.
>> Councilmember Hines: IN TACOMA WATER TERRITORY IS LARGER THAN THE CITY OF TACOMA SO THIS APPLIES TO EVERY CUSTOMER WHO IS A TACOMA WATER CUSTOMER.
OR DOES IT APPLY TO WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS, TO?
>> Speaker: IT WOULD APPLY FOR ADDITIONAL CAPACITY.
FOR CAPACITY THAT WAS IN THE CONTRACT IT WOULD NOT AFFECT THAT BUT IF A WHOLESALE CUSTOMER SAID THEY WANTED TO INCREASE OR SAID WE WANT TO PURCHASE WHOLESALE WATER FOR TACOMA THERE IS A PORTION OF THE RESCHEDULE THAT WOULD BE APPLICABLE TO THEM.
>> Councilmember Hines: THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS BUT I MIGHT HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS BETWEEN NOW AND THE SECOND READING BUT I WILL BE SURE TO FOLLOW UP WITH STAFF ON THAT.
THANK YOU.
THE ONE THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER HINES AND BEFORE I MOVE ON TO COUNCILMEMBER SADALGE, MA'AM, I DID NOT GET YOUR NAME, SORRY.
>> Speaker: I AM CARRIE BURCHARD WATERS.
>> Mayor Ibsen: WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION FROM COUNCILMEMBER SADALGE.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: AND WHO IS PAYING THIS?
ARE OUR CUSTOMERS GOING TO SEE THAT ON THEIR WATER BILL?
>> Speaker: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE SEE ON THERE WATER BILL.
THIS IS A ONE-TIME CHARGE ASSESSED BRINGING ON A BRAND-NEW SYSTEM.
THINK OF A BRAND-NEW HOME BEING CONSTRUCTED OR A NEW APARTMENT BUILDING BEING CONSTRUCTED.
IT REPRESENTS THE LOAD THAT BUILDING OR HOME REPRESENTS OUR SYSTEM SO IT IS CHARGED AT THE TIME OF CONNECTION AND OFTEN TO THE DEVELOPER.
WHETHER THE HOME IS SOLD AND PURCHASED THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL CHARGES.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: SO ANY NEW SYSTEM CONNECTION OR IS IT AN UPGRADE OF SORT?
>> Speaker: IF SOMEBODY UPGRADED THEIR METER SIZE THEY WOULD PAY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHARGE ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR EXISTING METER AND THE CHARGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE METER THAT THEY WOULD BE UPGRADING TO.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: SO IF YOU ARE DOING AND ADU YOU WOULD BE PAYING THIS AS WELL?
>> Speaker: IT WOULD BE LOOKED AT IF SOMEONE WAS GOING TO DO AN ACCEPTABLE ADU THEY WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE METER SIZE BEING ASSESSED.
IF THE EXISTING METER WAS TWO LOTS OR TWO PLOTS THERE WOULD BE A CALCULATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE MULTIFAMILY RATE WHICH IS A FACT OR OF A SINGLE-FAMILY RATE.
IT MAY RESULT IN A SMALL CHARGE IN SOME CASES COULD RESULT IN A CREDIT DEPENDING ON HOW THE MATH WORKS OUT.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: GOT IT BUT NET NET THIS ISN'T SOME THING WHERE SOMEONE IS WATCHING THIS MEETING AND THEY COULD TAKE AWAY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO ALL OF A SUDDEN POP UP ON THERE REGULAR WATER BILL?
>> Speaker: THAT'S CORRECT.
THIS WOULD NOT BE APPLICABLE TO MOST CUSTOMERS.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: AND GENERALLY HOW MUCH OF AN INCREASE IS IT THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING OR IS IT LIKE A NUMBER OF INCREASES?
>> Speaker: THE RESULTS OF THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE STUDY SHOWS THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE RELATIVE TO OUR EXISTING RATES A SIZABLE INCREASE.
WE DECIDED IN THE SPIRIT OF HOW WE NORMALLY DO OUR RATES WHICH IS THROUGH THE IDEA OF GRADUALISM WE WANT TO FACE INTO THE COST INSTEAD OF SPREAD OUT THE IMPACT OF THIS OVER FIVE YEARS.
SO WE HAVE EQUAL ADJUSTMENTS EVERY YEAR THROUGH 2030.
AND ONCE FULLY PHASED IN WE DID A REVIEW STUDY OF PIER UTILITIES IN THE REGION AND FOUND THAT EVEN ONCE FULLY PHASED IN WE ARE SECOND FROM THE BOTTOM OF 15 OR SO UTILITIES BY THE TIME WE FACE AND ASSUMING NO ONE ELSE CHANGES THEIR SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
CHARGES.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: WHAT IS THE SYSTEM INCREASE WE SHOULD BE SEEING BETWEEN NOW AND FIVE YEARS?
IS IT 3%, 30%?
>> Speaker: THERE'S A SCHEDULE OF CHARGES.
FOR A 5/8 INCH FAMILY HOME THE CURRENT CHARGES AROUND $860 AND BY 2030 THERE PROPOSAL IS TO BE AROUND $2300 OR SO.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: 5/8 IS STANDARD FOR A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME?
>> Speaker: APPROXIMATELY 98% OF OUR EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: DOES THAT WORK FOR DAD YOU OR IS THAT A HIGHER ONE?
I'M THINKING ABOUT HOME IN TACOMA.
>> Mayor Ibsen: IT DEPENDS ON HOW MANY HOMES WOULD BE SERVED OFF THE METER.
IT IS POSSIBLE TO SERVE AS A DETACHED ADU IT MAY UPSIZE TO A THREE-QUARTER INCH METER.
I WILL HAVE TO ASK AN ENGINEER.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: I CAN GET THE SPECIFICS LATER.
IT DOES LOOK LIKE IT IS SUBSTANTIAL.
IT IS OVER A 100% INCREASE OVER FIVE YEARS OBVIOUSLY.
HE SAID 923?
>> Speaker: 800 TWO 2700.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: WOW, THAT IS A 300% INCREASE OVER FIVE YEARS.
THAT IS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE.
I SHARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT COUNCILMEMBER HINES HAS RAISED OVER HERE.
AND I WILL PROBABLY HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU AS WE GO.
MAYBE THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE THERE ARE RATES THAT ARE GOING TO INCREASE.
WHAT ARE WE GETTING?
WHAT ARE THE PEOPLE OF TACOMA GETTING FOR THESE INCREASES?
>> Speaker: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER SADALGE AND COUNCILMEMBER HINES FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.
ONE THING THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IS CLEAR IS THAT A HOMEOWNER SELLING OR BUYING A HOME AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASES WOULD NOT BE IMPACTED BY THIS, RIGHT?
THE TRANSFER OF A SERVICE FROM ONE OWNER TO ANOTHER DOES NOT INCUR THIS CHARGE IS SIMPLY A NEW CONNECTION TO THE SYSTEM.
OR A LARGER METER.
THE WAY THAT A LOT OF HOMEOWNERS ARE DEVELOPING ADU'S DO NOT REQUIRE THIS AS WELL, RIGHT?
MOST HOMES INCLUDING AND ADU CAN STILL BE SERVED ON A 58 INCH METER.
THERE ARE WAYS THAT DEVELOPERS CAN AVOID THIS CHARGE.
ONE THING THAT WE KNOW WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION.
WE TAKE THAT CONCERN ABOUT DEVELOPMENT CHARGES OVERALL VERY SERIOUSLY AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A STACK OF CHARGES AND WE ARE A PART OF THAT AND IT CAN FEEL LIKE A DEATH BY 1000 CUTS.
WE ARE SENSITIVE TO THAT CONCERN.
ONE THING THEY TOLD US IS THAT PREDICTABILITY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
WHEN THEY ARE FINANCING THE PROJECT THEY NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE FEES ARE.
THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE A CONSISTENT AND PREDICTABLE SCHEDULE OF INCREASES.
WE FEEL LIKE THAT IS THE MOST RESPONSIBLE WAY TO ENSURE THAT OUR CURRENT RATE PAYERS ARE NOT SUBSIDIZING DEVELOPMENT WHILE ALSO GIVING OUR DEVELOPERS THE PREDICTABILITY AND CONSISTENCY THEY NEED TO ENSURE THAT THESE COSTS ARE ROLLED INTO THE
INITIAL FINANCING WHEN THEY ARE PLANNING THEIR PROJECT.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: TO GO WITH TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTION, WHAT DO WE EXPECT TO GET OVERTIME FOR THIS?
>> Speaker: WHAT DEVELOPERS ARE BUYING INTO OR WHAT TACOMA IS, OR THE PAY THAT DEVELOP THIS ARE BUYING INTO IS A SYSTEM THAT IS SUSTAINABLE GOING FORWARD.
THE WAY THAT WASHINGTON STATE LAW IS OUTLINED IS THAT IT GIVES WATER UTILITIES THE ABILITY TO CHARGE THIS FEE.
SO WHEN A NEW SERVICE IS ADDED THEY ARE BUYING INTO THE VALUE OF THE SYSTEM THAT OUR CURRENT RATE PAYERS HAVE BEEN PAYING FOR A GENERATION AND DECADES.
SO IT IS THIS ONE INITIAL BUY-IN FEE THAT SORT OF REIMBURSES OUR CURRENT RATE PAYERS FOR THEIR INVESTMENT IN THE SYSTEM AND ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE MAKING THE INVESTMENTS THAT WE NEED TO MAINTAIN OUR SYSTEM AND DEVELOP IT IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY
OVERTIME TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE GROWTH THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: MAYBE I WILL REPHRASE THAT.
IF WE WEREN'T GETTING THIS MONEY WHAT DO WE LOSE?
SPECIFICALLY.
>> Speaker: IF WE ARE NOT SPENDING, WE ARE A RATE PAYER FUNDED ORGANIZATION.
ANYTHING ANY REVENUE THAT WE ARE NOT GETTING BY STC WILL GO TO THE RATE PAYER.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: IF WE DON'T DO THIS PEOPLE WILL SEE THE HIGHER RATE.
BECAUSE THESE ARE MOSTLY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS?
>> Speaker: THAT'S RIGHT.
THESE ARE CAPITAL EXPANSION IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE HAVE PLANNED OUT DECADES AND IN SOME CASES IN ADVANCE TO SERVE OUR GROWTH.
RIGHT?
THAT WE HAVE HAD IN THE WORKS FOR YEARS AND THAT WE CONTINUE TO PLAN FOR WITH OUR INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN THAT COUNCIL MEMBER HINES NOTED.
THOSE ARE THE EXPENSES OF GROWING AND MAINTAINING OUR SYSTEM.
IF THEY ARE NOT PAID FOR WITH A SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE THEY WILL GET PAID FOR IN RATE.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER SADALGE.
COUNCILMEMBER DIAZ?
>> Councilmember Diaz: I HAVE ONE QUESTION NOT TO KEEP US IN THE WEEDS BUT IF IT IS BETTER TO GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE LATER OFF-LINE FEEL FREE TO SAY THAT.
YOU TOUCHED ON IT A LITTLE BIT WITH SAYING THERE'S NOT A CHARGE WITH HOME OWNERSHIP TRANSFER OR DIFFERENT TRANSFER POINTS BUT I'M WONDERING IF THERE'S OTHER EXAMPLES BEYOND GIVING THE ADU OR BUILDING A WHOLE NEW DEVELOPMENT ON A PLOT OF LAND.
ARE THERE ARE OTHER NORMAL CASUAL WAYS THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE UPGRADING THEIR METER AND INCUR THIS FEE?
>> Speaker: THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
I WILL HAVE THEM COME UP AND GIVE SOME REAL WORLD EXAMPLES.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT SEEING A LOT OF GROWTH IN SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOODS.
WE SEE A LOT OF REVENUES COMING IN FROM THAT THOSE ARE NEW CONNECTIONS AND AN EXPANSION TO THE SYSTEM.
WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INFILL DEVELOPMENT IT IS REALLY IF THERE IS A VACANT LOT THAT DOESN'T HAVE A SERVICE IN FRONT OF IT OR IF IT IS A LOT THAT IS INTENSIFYING.
LET'S SAY A DEVELOPER BUYS A LOT WITH A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME AND PUTS IN A SIX PLEX.
IN THAT CASE THEY WILL LIKELY NEED TO UPGRADE FROM A VIVACIOUS 5/8 INCH METER.
THEY WILL GET A CREDIT FOR THE VALUE OF THEIR 5/8 M BUT THEY HAVE TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND THE NEW METER SIZE.
THAT IS AN INITIAL INVESTMENT THAT THAT DEVELOPER IS MAKING WHEN THEY BUILD THAT DENSER HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND THEY ARE ROLLING THAT IN TO THEIR FINANCE COST FOR THEIR ENTIRE ALL OF THEIR PROJECT COST.
SO THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT YOUR AVERAGE TACOMA WATER RATE PAYER IS PAYING.
IT IS MORE FOR DEVELOPERS THAT ARE COMING IN AND DEVELOPING IN THE AREAS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY DEVELOPED.
AND IF A DEVELOPER BUYS A VACANT LOT THAT IS WITHIN OUR SERVICE AREA BUT DOESN'T HAVE AN EXISTING SERVICE SOME VACANT LOTS HAVE AN EXISTING SERVICE.
SO THERE'S ALREADY ONE THERE THAT THEY CONNECT TO AND IF THAT'S THE CASE THEY DO NOT PAY AND STC E.
BUT IF THERE'S A VACANT LOT WITH NO SERVICE THAT'S WHERE THIS WOULD COME IN.
>> Councilmember Diaz: I'M CURIOUS WHAT THOSE ANOMALIES ARE WHEN INEVITABLY WHEN THIS IS PASSED WE WILL GET AN EMAIL FROM SOMEONE WHO SAYS I LIVE ON G ST.
AND I'M TRYING TO PUT IN A POOL.
I'M TRYING TO ASSESS WHAT IF ANY OF THOSE CASUAL WAYS THAT SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO THEM EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT USUAL.
>> Speaker: TYPICALLY IF IT IS SOMEBODY WHO IS BUILDING AND ADU AND THEY WANT A SEPARATE METER FOR IT.
SO A LOT OF TIMES THERE IS THE CAPACITY WITHIN THE 5/8 INCH METER TO SERVE THEIR ADU.
OR DETACHED ADU.
A LOT OF TIMES THE CAPACITY IS THERE IN THE EXISTING METER BUT THEY MAY FOR WHATEVER REASON WANT TO HAVE A SEPARATE METER RATHER THAN HAVE A SUBMETER.
IF THEY WANT WHOEVER THEY SELL OR RENT THEIR DATA TO TO BE ABLE TO PAY TACOMA WATER DIRECTLY RATHER THAN PAYING THEM THEY MIGHT CHOOSE TO PURCHASE A SEPARATE METER FOR THEM AND THEN THEY WOULD PAY THAT $2700 FEE WHICH IT WILL BE 2700 IN FIVE
YEARS.
THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN WE THINK OF AS MORE OF OUR TYPICAL HOMEOWNER WOULD BE IMPACTED BY IT THEY WOULD LARGELY NOT BE IMPACTED BY THINGS LIKE POOLS OR HOT TUBS OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER DIAZ.
DEPUTY BUSHNELL?
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: THANK YOU MAYOR I JUST HAD A QUICK FEW CLARIFICATIONS AND I'M SORRY IF THIS WAS IN THE PRESENTATION EARLIER WHEN DID WE LAST UPDATE THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE FOR THIS?
>> Speaker: THE LAST TIME WE UNDERTOOK A STUDY WAS IN 2019 WITH RATES AFFECTED IN 2020.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: IN THAT TIME I'M ASSUMING THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF COST ESCALATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS ALONE COULD FACTOR INTO THAT BUT WHERE'S THE OTHER PERCENTAGE OF COST ESCALATION COME FROM THERE I FEEL LIKE WE'VE GOTTEN A
LOT OUT OF WHACK WHERE WE EXPECTED TO BE AT THIS TIME WHERE WE COULD SEE THE SIGNIFICANCE.
>> Speaker: IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAS BEEN BUILT INTO THE SYSTEM SINCE THE LAST OF EIGHT GOES INTO THE POOL OF COSTS THAT WE CAN INCLUDE AS PART OF THAT SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE AS WELL AS OUR NEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN WHICH NOW INCLUDES
THE PIPE LINE 1 PRESS PRESSURIZATION THAT WE WILL HAVE TO PUT INTO THE SYSTEM.
THOSE WERE COSTS THAT WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY PART OF THE STUDY OR THINGS THAT WE HAD NOT PUT INTO OUR SYSTEM YET.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: THANK YOU THIS IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE GROWTH PACE FOR GROWTH.
YOU'RE BUYING INTO THE SYSTEM AND WHAT IT PROVIDES TO YOU AND I DON'T WANT TO NECESSARILY BURDEN OUR CURRENT RATE PAYERS WITH US WHEN WE ARE TAPPING INTO THE SYSTEM.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE AND GRADUALISM IS ONE OF THE TENANTS OF TPU WHEN IT COMES TO RATE SO THIS SEEMS TO ME A LITTLE OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH THAT POLICY.
I KNOW THAT WITH THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN WE ARE TRYING TO IMPLEMENT THAT GRADUALISM WITH IT TO GET US WHERE WE NEED TO BE.
IT DOES STRIKE ME AND HOW FAR OFF WE WERE FROM THE LAST TIME WE DID THESE ADJUSTMENT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY WAY WE CAN CONTROL THAT GOING INTO THE FUTURE BUT IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE SHOULD CONSIDER.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU DEPUTY MAYOR.
COUNCILMEMBER PALMER?
>> Councilmember Palmer: THANK YOU MAYOR AND THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
I WILL DEFINITELY HAVE MORE QUESTIONS BECAUSE I WAS NOT AVAILABLE OR HERE YET THE PRESENTATION SO I'M LOOKING TO TALK TO YOU MORE ABOUT THAT.
I HAD AN IMMEDIATE QUESTION.
IT SOUNDS LIKE MAYBE A LOT OF OUR CONCERNS AND OUR GOAL HERE IS TO-WE JUST PAST HOME IN TACOMA AND WE WANT TO PASS THE MIDDLE HOUSING AND ENCOURAGE THAT.
AND ALSO I THINK WE ARE ENCOURAGING OUR OWNERS OUR RESIDENT TO DO SOME OF THE DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AND I DON'T KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY KIND OF CONVERSATION AROUND EXEMPTIONS FOR MAYBE CURRENT OWNER OCCUPIES WHO ARE WANTING TO DEVELOP THEIR
OWN PROPERTY.
>> Speaker: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION I DON'T BELIEVE WE'VE HAD DISCUSSION ABOUT EXEMPTIONS BUT I WILL NOTE THAT PARTICULARLY AS RESIDENTS WANT TO IDENTIFY THEIR PLOT ONE PART OF THE STUDY IS WE DID REVIEW THE MULTI FAMILY COMPONENT OF THE
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGE PRIOR TO THIS NEW STUDY THE NEW DATA WE HAVE AVAILABLE AND WE HAVE ACCESS TO SUGGESTED THAT WE SHOULD ASSESS A MULTIFAMILY UNIT RATE EQUAL TO 60% OF THE SINGLE-FAMILY HOME CHARGE.
THE MULTIFAMILY UNIT HAS LESS USAGE PARTICULARLY DURING THE SUMMER AND THAT WOULD JUSTIFY US CHARGING A LOWER RATE FOR A MULTIFAMILY UNIT TO WHICH AND ADU WOULD APPLY.
AS WE REVIEW THE STUDY WE FOUND WE WERE ABLE TO LOWER THAT FACTOR DOWN TO 44%.
THROUGH THIS STUDY WE WERE ABLE TO MORE CLEARLY IDENTIFY THE USAGE OF A MULTIFAMILY CUSTOMER AND REDUCE THE FACTOR BY WHICH WE ARE COMPARING TO A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME.
THAT'S ONE WAY WE WANTED TO ENSURE WE WANTED TO SUPPORT THE GOALS OF HOME IN TACOMA AND MAKE SURE WE ARE CHARGING ONLY WHAT IS NECESSARY TO REPRESENT THE LOAD THAT THE METER IS PUTTING ON THE SYSTEM.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH?
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: THANK YOU MAYOR AND I WANTED TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER PALMER FOR HER QUESTION BECAUSE IT'S ON THE SAME LINE IS MINE IS THERE AN EXEMPTION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING?
I KNOW THAT WHEN WE WENT AHEAD AND DID AN EXEMPTION FROM IMPACT FEES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS A STATE LAW THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T DO THAT?
CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT?
>> Speaker: I AM NOT A LAWYER BUT HOPEFULLY SOMEONE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY.
>> Speaker: I AM ALSO NOT A LAWYER AND I DON'T PLAY ONE ON TV.
YES THE LAW IS MORE RESTRICTIVE AROUND HOW UTILITIES CAN CHARGE CUSTOMERS AND WHAT TYPES OF EXEMPTIONS OR DISCOUNTS WE CAN GIVE.
SO THE LANGUAGE IS JUST A LITTLE MORE RESTRICT LIVE.
WE ARE ALLOWED TO GIVE DISCOUNT LIKE WE DO THROUGH OUR DISCOUNT PROGRAM TO INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMERS BUT NOT TO LIKE AN LLC FOR EXAMPLE OR A DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OR EVEN AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDER.
WE ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO GIVE DISCOUNT LIKE THAT TO INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMERS.
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: IS THAT THE B CAP PROGRAM?
>> Speaker: OH, HE IS HERE!
WE WILL LET THE ACTUAL ATTORNEY ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.
>> Speaker: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
YOU KNOW THE GENERAL RULE IS NO THERE IS NO GIFT OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
GENERALLY HAVE AN EXCEPTION FROM THE POOLING FIRM THAT IS OUTLINED IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION.
WE DO HAVE PROGRAMS TO ALLOW FOR THAT.
TYPICALLY OUR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS AS CARRIE WAS EXPLAINING IT IS VERY HARD FOR A CORPORATION TO APPLY AS THE FIRM.
I'VE NEVER SEEN IT HAPPEN.
I SUPPOSE THERE IS POTENTIALLY A PATH BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN IT HAPPEN.
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: SO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE EXEMPT?
>> Speaker: IT IS NOT EXEMPT CURRENTLY AND THAT'S A SLIPPERY SLOPE IF YOU WERE TO GO DOWN THAT PATH.
I THINK WHAT YOU SEE NOWADAYS IS EVERY DEVELOPMENT IS LLC SPECIFIC MEANING THEY COULD CREATE IT FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE THEY WANT.
I DON'T KNOW IF -THAT PATH IS FRAUGHT WITH POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE.
>> Councilmember Rumbaugh: OKAY I THINK I WILL ASK SOME QUESTIONS OFF-LINE.
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH.
COUNCILMEMBER SADALGE?
>> Councilmember Sadalge: I WILL TRY TO KEEP IT BRIEF AND THANK YOU FOR THE SECOND CHANCE.
ONE QUESTION FOR COUNCILMEMBER RUMBAUGH I WOULD LOVE TO MAYBE WORK WITH YOU ON EXPLORING WHETHER LEGALLY WE CAN GET LOW INCOME HOUSING PROVIDERS IN BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THE DEED RESTRICTION WHICH KEEPS CERTAIN DEVELOPMENTS AFFORDABLE AT A CERTAIN
LEVEL FOR REALLY LONG TIME AND MAYBE THAT'S A WAY TO GO THROUGH THAT BUT MY MAIN QUESTION IS THIS?
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS UP EVERYWHERE IS PFA'S OR WHATEVER IS CALLED A NONSTICK STUFF THAT'S REALLY BAD FOR YOU.
IS THIS A WAY TO HELP US POTENTIALLY DEAL WITH CONTAMINATION OF SOME SORT?
I KNOW WE ARE GENERALLY AT OR WELL BELOW THOSE LEVELS BUT IF I DO RECALL THERE IS ONE OR TWO WELLS THAT FOUND THAT.
ARE THOSE TYPES OF PROGRAM NOT THERE?
I'M THINKING ABOUT THE TYPES OF QUESTIONS THAT MY CONSTITUENTS ARE ASKING AND WHAT WE GET FOR IT?
>> Speaker: THE REVENUE COLLECTED FROM THESE CHARGES WOULD BE USABLE FOR PFA'S RELATED CAPITAL WORK.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: THE CAPITAL WORK WOULD NEED TO BE ADDED TO YOUR PROGRAM?
>> Speaker: THERE ARE COMPONENTS TO IT IN THE PROGRAM.
>> Councilmember Sadalge: GOT IT.
THAT'S ONE TANGIBLE THING WHERE WE CAN SAY THIS IS THE TYPE OF PROGRAM WE CAN FUNDS.
WITH UNDERSTANDING WHY THERE IS SUCH A LARGE -WHAT I'M STRUGGLING WITH AND MAYBE YOU CAN HELP WITH THIS WEEK IS TO UNDERSTAND WHY IS IT SUCH A LARGE INCREASE?
THANK YOU.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER SADALGE ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
SEEING NONE THE ORDINANCE WILL BE SENT OVER FOR FINAL READING NEXT WEEK.
MOVING ON TO UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
IS THERE ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS?
SEEING NONE REPORTS BY THE CITY MANAGER.
DO YOU HAVE A REPORT THIS EVENING?
>> City Manager: MAYOR, I DO WANT TO REPORT AND CELEBRATE STAFF.
THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THE COURSE OF RUNNING OUR OPERATIONS WERE THINGS HAPPEN AND WHEN EVERYTHING IS WORKING WELL WE DON'T SPEAK ABOUT THOSE THINGS.
WE HAD AN INCIDENT IN FIRCREST AND WE HAD A 16 INCH MAINLINE THAT ACTUALLY RUPTURED ON DECEMBER 19TH.
I WANT TO CELEBRATE CRAIG MAY AND HIS TEAM THERE TO SAY IT IS TIRELESS EFFORT THEY SPEND APPROXIMATELY 28 HOURS FROM 6 A.M.
FROM THE NEXT MORNING TAKING CARE OF THIS BECAUSE IT WAS IMPACTING TO RESIDENTS.
WE ARE STILL DOING REMEDIATION CLEANUP.
I WANT TO THANK CRAIG MAY AND HIS STAFF IN THE ENGINEERS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.
I WANT TO THANK THE CREW.
THE MAIN CREW THAT RESPONDED THEY WERE RESPONSIVE FROM 6A HIM AND THEY STAYED UNTIL 11 P.M.
BEFORE THEY WERE ACTUALLY ROTATED OUT.
OVER THE COURSE OF THE 28 HOURS MR.
CRAIG MAY AND HIS TEAM AT ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND OUR SANITARY SEWER DIVISION.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT FOR THE RECORD.
MORE OF THESE TO COME IN WE ARE JUST CELEBRATING THAT.
THAT IS MY SHORT REPORT.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU INTERIM MANAGER I APPRECIATE THAT.
MOVING ON TO COMMUNITY REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL ARE THERE ANY FINAL COMMENTS?
HEALTH MEMBER WALKER?
>> Councilmember Walker: THANK YOU MAYOR OF THREE ANNOUNCEMENTS.
ONE IS A VERY EXCITING PRESS RELEASE THAT JUST WENT OUT THAT THE CITY HAS RECEIVED FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS FROM THE WASHINGTON STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT BOARD AND TO KEEP PROJECTS I WON'T GO INTO THEM IN DETAIL BUT THEY ARE BOTH VISION
ZERO PROJECT THAT WILL HELP KEEP OUR STREET SAFER.
ONE IS AT SOUTH 12TH ST.
IMPROVEMENTS AND THAT IS $3.7 MILLION FOR THAT PROJECT THAT WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED.
THE OTHER ONE IS A SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROJECT ON SOUTH PARK AVENUE AND THAT IS ADJACENT TO FERNHILL ELEMENTARY.
I'M EXCITED THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ADD A SAFER ROUTE FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE WALKING TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO PUBLIC WORKS.
I'M HAPPY TO SEE THOSE PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED.
SPEAKING OF SAFE TRANSPORTATION ONE OF MY FAVORITE EVENTS OF THE YEAR IS TOMORROW IS LIGHT UP YOUR RIDE WITH TACOMA ON THE GO.
TOMORROW AT 6 P.M.
THEY WILL PROVIDE MATERIALS TO LIGHT UP YOUR RIDE WITH LIGHTS AND REFLECTIVE, REFLECTIVE GEAR AND THEN WE PADDLE AROUND DOWNTOWN.
THE LAST ONE MAY SEEM PREMATURE.
IT IS MAY 2ND BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO ANNOUNCE IT NOW.
IT IS THE FIRST TACOMA LITERATURE FESTIVAL AND IT IS ANNOUNCING NOW BECAUSE THEY ARE GATHERING BENDERS.
THIS IS A BIG FESTIVAL THAT WILL BRING TOGETHER WRITERS, FILMMAKERS POETS AND ARTISTS.
THEY ARE VENDORS BUT THERE'S ALSO A PANEL DISCUSSION TALKS AND KEYNOTES BEING PUT ON BY CRITT CITIES STUDIO.
IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION OR IF YOU ARE A VENDOR THAT WANTS TO PARTICIPATE REACH OUT TO THEM AND GET EXCITED ABOUT THAT A SECOND AT THE TACOMA ARMORY.
>> Mayor Ibsen: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER WALKER ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
I HAVE A THING FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER MYSELF SO IN THE INTEREST OF ACCESSIBILITY AND PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION SOMETHING I'M GOING TO START DOING EFFECTIVE TOMORROW AND ON SUBSEQUENT WEDNESDAYS IS WHAT I AM GOING TO CALL MAYOR'S OFFICE HOURS.
THIS IS PRETTY INFORMAL BASICALLY IT'S JUST ME GOING TO A PUBLIC LOCATION USUALLY A CAFCA PUB OR RESTAURANT ROTATING THROUGH THE DIFFERENT COUNCIL DISTRICTS FOR NO MORE THAN AN HOUR AND A HALF TO 2 HOURS.
ALL I'M GOING TO DO IS MY WORK CHECKING EMAILS MAKING CALLS BUT WITH AN ANNOUNCE LOCATION AND TIME TO BE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DROP IN OR GO THROUGH THE FORMAL PROCESS OF GETTING ON MY CALENDAR OR GIVING ME A CALL IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY
TO SAY HELLO AND ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU NEED CONSTITUENT CASEWORK OR YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE ME.
THE FIRST OF THOSE MAY ORAL MAYOR OFFICE HOURS WILL BE TOMORROW THE FIRST OF MANY WEDNESDAYS FROM 2:30 TO 3:45 IT WILL BE IN DISTRICT 1 BECAUSE I'M COUNTING IT'S A LATE NIGHT.
WE WILL BE AT THE CUTTER!
ON THE CORNER OF PEARL AND NORTH 21ST 2:30 TO 3:45 AND MOVING FORWARD STARTING TOMORROW AS WELL DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE CERTAINLY WELCOME.
MY ASSISTANT CAN REACH OUT TO YOU AND I FIGURED THAT I WOULD BORROW FROM IDEAS I LIKE WHAT I C4 EXAMPLE FROM COUNCILMEMBER HINES COUNCIL WITH THE COUNCILMAN.
I'M DEFINITELY INTERESTED IN RUNNING WITH THAT IN DIFFERENT IDEAS.
COUNCILMEMBER HINES THIS IS YOUR INVITATION IF YOU ARE FREE YOU ARE CERTAINLY WELCOME AND I MOVING FORWARD WITH DIFFERENT FUTURE REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL.
AS WE APPEAL THAT IDEA I WANTED TO INVITE YOU TO THAT COME ONE COME ALL.
AND UNLESS THERE ARE FURTHER COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S NO NEED FOR EXCUSING ANY MEMBERS.
>> Deputy Mayor Bushnell: I MOVE TO