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Home My WebLink About2025-08-25 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila Citv Council Hybrid Meeting (On -site and Virtual) MINUTES COMMTTEE OF THE WHOLE CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Committee of the Whole August 25, 2025 Council President Sharp called the Tukwila City Council meeting to order at 700 p.m. and lied the audienpe in the Pledge of Allegiance, OFFICIALS Present at the meeting were Council President Tosh Sharp (on -site); Councilmembers Mohamed Abdi (on - site), Armen Papyan (on -site), Dennis Martinez (on -site), Hannah Hedrick (on -site), and Verna Seal (on - site) Councilmennber McConnell was not in attendance. CITY OFFICALS Thomas McLeod, Mayor; Marty Wine, City Administrator; Pete Mayer Deputy City AdministratoriParks & Recreation Director: Kari Sand, City Attorney; Nora Gierloff, Community Development Director; Aaron BeMolier, Finance Director; Jen Tetatzin, Public Works Director; Eric Dreyer, Police Chief; Laurel Humphrey Legislative Anallyst: Andy Youn-Barnett, City Clerk: and Jennifer Marshall, Deputy City Clerk, LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Councilmennber 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,' PUBLIC COMMENTS 1, Joe Duffle spoke against the proposed updates to cannabis regulations and his desire to keep it out of the city, 2 Sharon Mann listed various concerns including the maintenance of the Tukwila Welcome Sign en Klickitat Drive, removal of political signs from her property, and the parking lot at the Justice Center 3. Josh Castle reported Munammed Zahid Chaudrey had been detained during his citizenship interview at Homeland Security and requested an emergency fund be established by the city to assist families PUBLIC HEARING a. An ordinance updating cannabis use regulations. 7:17 p.m. Council President Sharp opened the public hearing. Nora Glerloff, Department of Community Development Director, overviewed the legislative process to date highlighting the direction provided from the Planning and Community Development Committee including additional retail zones, changes to buffer distances, and security features Tukwila 'City Council Committee of the Whoe Minutes August 25, 2025 Page ,2 of 4 7:23 p.m. Council President Sharp called for public comments. 1, An email received from Chuck Parish on August 23 at 7 09 p,m in support of the proposed updates to the cannabis use regulations citing the passage of Initiative 502. 2. An email received from Torn Rogers on August 25 at 9;34 a.m. in support of the proposed updates to the cannabis use regulations noting the financial benefits to be gained that could prevent service cuts 3. An email received from Ziggy Samr3 on August 25 at 10:11 a,rn, in support of the proposed updates to the cannabis use regulations to support local businesses and str ngthen city finances. 4, Dave Larson spoke against the proposed updates to cannabis use regulations noting the effect it could have on children 5. Lisa Krober spoke in favor of the proposed updates to cannabis use regulations noting the easy access to alcohol l highlighting the more stringent regulations already in place for cannabis 6. Sharon Mann spoke against the proposed updates to cannabis use regulations questioning the increased revenue estimates and noting the City of Kent will not be expanding their cannabis zones. 7, Brian Bloornstein spoke in favor the proposed updates to cannabis use regulations sharing how it would improve hos, quality of life, 8, Karen Wright spoke in favor the proposed updates to cannabis use regulations sharing her personal health experiences. 9. Erik Halverson spoke on favor the proposed updates to cannabis use regulations noting how much has been learned in the past ten years and how it not only financially benefits the city, but members of the public, 10, Caitlein Ryan, Executive Director of The Cannabis Alliance, spoke in favor the proposed updates cannabis use r gulations citing studies related to youth risk as well as the desire to locate dispensaries in retail areas rather than residential neighborhoods, 11. Max Emminger, license holder, spoke in favor the proposed updates to cannabis use regulations noting since the public passed the legislation legalizung cannabis he has wanted to open a business in Tukwila but not been alble due to current zoning standards. 12. Zachary Fleet, license holder, spoke in favor the proposed updates to cannabis use regulations and shared his past with Snohomish County as a defense attorney, 13. Greg Sherlock, Tukwila resident, spoke against the proposed updates to cannabis use regulations indicating enabling businesses to open would result in an increased bad reputation for the city as well as increased crime, 14, Henok Abraha, license holder, spoke in support of the proposed updates to cannabis use regulations sharing his business would bring twenty to forty jobs to the city and they would follow the highly regulated standards 15, Elsa Negash-Gebre spoke in support of the proposed updates to cannabis use reguVations noting that her small business appreciates, the cannabis businesses and how she has seen them revitalize business districts in other cities. 16. Julie Jordan (remote), license holder, spoke in support of the proposed updates to cannabis use regulations noting she is eager to open her business in a commercial area; she has no desire to open in a residential area. Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes August 25, 2025 Page 3 of 4 17. Don Douglas {remote), license holder, spoke in support of the proposed updates to cannabis use regulations and recommended Council consider putting a caveat regarding the disbursement of stores throughout the city Council President Sharp asked if there were any clarifying questions from the Council Council asked clarifying questions regarding the ability to request additional community outreach through a survey, which businesses and organizations are subject to he 1,000-foot buffer, and how the estimated revenue reported in the agenda packet was Ideterrninod. 820 p.m. Council President Sharp closed the public hearing. 8:22 p,m. 828 p.m. Council President Sharp called for a 5-minute recess, Council President Sharp resumed the meeting. SPECIAL. ISSUES a. An ordinance updating cannabis use regulations. I he Gounalmembers discussed whether a survey would be beneficial, noting there has been substantial public outreach throughout the process and ample opportunity to talk with members of the public and business community The Councilmembers discussed the potential of adding the installation of automatic 'license plate reading cameras as a requirement in the ordinance. Chief of Police Eric Dreyer noted the cameras would not be associated with the city, but businesses could give the Police epartment access to collect the data and utilize it in their investigations. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO ADD A REQUIREMENT TO THE ORDINANCE FOR BUSINESSES TO INSTALL AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READING CAMERAS. COUNCIL CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE SEPTEMBER 9 SPECIAL MEETING UNDER UNFINISHED BUSINESS. REPORTS a. Mayor - no report b. City Council - no report c. Staff - no report MISCELLANEOUS None ADJOURNMENT 9:02 P.M. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SHARP DECLARED THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURNED FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING. Tulimiia City Council Committee of the WtioIe Minutes August 25„ 2025 Page 4 of 4 jf4fini er r1arhaU, Deputy'City Cietk APPROVED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 09108/2025 AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE: 09109/2025