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Home My WebLink About2026-01-26 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Com Hybrid Meeting (On -site and Virtual) MINUTES o the Whole Meeting January 26, 2026 - 7:00 RM. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING CALL. TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Papyan called the 'rukwula City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p„m, and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. OFFICIALS Presentat the meeting were Council President Armen Papyan (on -site); Councilmembers Verna Seal (on - site), Kate Kruiler (on -site), Dennis Martinez (on -site), Hannah Hedrick (on -site), Joe Torres Camacho (on - site), and Jane Ho (on -site) LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Council President Papyan stated "The City of Tukwila is located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people. We acknowledge their continuing connections to land, waters and culture, We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging." CITY OFFICIALS Thomas McLeod, Mayor; Marty Wine, City Administrator Pete Mayer, Deputy City Administrator/Parks & Recreation Director; Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator; Brandon Miles, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Government Relations; TC Croone, Chief People Officer: Tony Cullerton, Deputy Finance 'rector; Eric rever, Police Chief, Eric Lund, Deputy Police Chief; Jen Tetatzin, Public Works Director, Joel Bush, Chief Technology Officer, Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, Andy Youn-Barnett, City Clerk. AGENDA AMENDMENT Council President Papyan asked for consensus to amend the agenda to add item C, "letter regarding DHS funding boil," under Special Issues Consensus existed, PUBLIC COMMENTS 1„ Robert Neuffer expressed concern regarding the recent shootings cf U,S, citizens lby federal agents in Minneapolis, 2, Dennis Robertson referenced the recent deaths in Minnesota and indicated the number of participants in South End indivisible's protests have grown. PRESENTATIONS a. Puget Sound Fire — Fire Benefit Charge & Operations Update. Mark Jones, Fire Chief with Puget Sound Fire, provided an overview of operations and the Fire Benefit Charge for 2026. The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding the Fire Benefit Charge, health evaluation programs, recruitment efforts, the FD Cares program, and community engagement,. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes January 26, 2026 Pige2of3 b. Introduction & Swearing in of Officer Leigh Wright. Mayor McLeod conducted the swearing in ceremony for Police Officer Wright SPECIAL ISSUES a. Amendment No. 2 to Contract 403-05 with Starfire for construction of the Starfiro Commons, Brandon Miles Director of Strategic Ilnitiatives & Government Affairs, indicated the proposed amendment would allow for the construction of an 8,15,0 sq ft building known as the Starfire Commons at Fort Dent Park Based on new information from Start re regarding the status of the project, staff is not requesting action at this time and the contract amendment will be brought forward at a later date, The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding timelines, the proposed site,, operations, and ervironmental sustainability, b. Discussion on 2026 Council Retreat, Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst, noted the Council retreat is, tentatively planned for March 28, 2026 Council Piesident Papyan indicated some focus areas will include budgeting and effective collaboration. The Councilmembers offered comments regarding including strategic planning as a topic for the retreat c. Discussion on letter regarding DHS funding bill. Brandon Miles, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Government Affairs, requested Council input and support on a draft Vetter to Senators Murray and Cantwell regarding a Department of Homeland Security funding bill before the Senate, urging them to not support the Pill unless there are meaningful federal law enforcement reforms, The Councilmembers offered comments and offered clarifying language for the draft letter, 823 p,m, 8:25 p.m,. Councilmember Martinez exited the Council Chambers. Councilmember Martinez returned to the Council Chambers. CONSENSUS EXISTED TO PROCEED WITH THE LETTER WITH THE AMENDMENTS DISCUSSED ABOVE. REPORTS a. Mayor Mayor McLeod participated in a meeting with King County Emergency Management to review recent responses to flooding He attended City Action Days through Association of Washington Cities (AVVC) and met with several legislators regarding funding for the 42" Avenue South Bridge. He attended a Sound Transit Board of Directors Imeeting and joined the Police Chief and Police Commander Anderson in a community Q&A at the Abu Bakr Islamic Center, b. City Council Councilmember Seal shared she attended a Puget Sound Fire Governance Board meeting, where she was elected as Chair, She expressed appreciation for the discussion on safety during social unrest at tonight's Community Services & Safety Committee meeting, Councilmember Krufter participated in a celebration of Koiean Ameiican Day at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle and a uncheon honoring the Consul General, She attended the "topping TukwilaCity Council CoMnntee of the Whole Minuues January 26, 2026 Page 3 of 3 ofi" ceremony for HlealthPoint, the Sabey Salmon Release event, and the Foster High School Drama Clubs production of the musical Hadestown, She relayed several concerns from the community including the use of local laborers, safety outside of City Hall, and speeding near elementary schools. She shared the National League of Cities (NLC), has nominated her to join the NLC Advisory Council Councillmember Martinez shared he was elected as Char of the South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd). He attended the celebration of Korean American Day at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle and the "topping off" ceremony forHeallthPeint. Councilmember Hedrick shared the Community Services & Safety Committee held an in-depth discussion regarding policing and safety during social unrest, She encouraged the public to watch the meeting recording, and for those in need to seek support and resources. Councilmember Camacho shared the Tukwila School District Board of Directors will be meeting on January 27, 2026 from 6.00 p.m — 8:00 p,m, and the Tukwila School District will be hosting a Career and 'Technical Advisory Committee on January 29, 2026 from 6 00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m, Councilmember ' Ho joined other elected officials In advocating for City issues in Olympia and attended City Action Days through AWC. She participated in a community meeting regarding the Tiny House Village at Church by the Side of the Road. Council President Papyan joined other elected officials in advocating for City issues in Olympia. c. Staff There was no report, MISCELLANEOUS Councilrnember Kruller requested information an traffic calming near Cascade View Elementary, an update on design for the 42'nd Avenue South Bridge, and information regarding the process for reporting/addressing encampments, Councilmember Carnacho requested information regarding the preservation of the nnural in billy Earoo"s, Councilnnember Papyan indicated he will be holding Council Chats for the community, with the first one to occur on January 3 1 " at 10 a.rmn. ADJOURNMENT 9:09 P.M. UNANIMOUS CONSENSUS EXISTED TO ADJOURN THE CO EE OF THE WHOLE MEETING FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING. Armen Papyan, Council Predent Andy Youn-Barrett„ City APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL: 212/26 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE 213/26