HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-23 Committee of the Whole MinutesTukwila City Council Co
Hybrid Meeting (On -site and Virtual)
MI
NUTES
ittee of the Whole Meeting
March 23, 2026 - 7:00 P.M.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council President Papyan called the Tukwila City Council meeting to orderat 7.00 p.m. and Ied the
audience in the Pledge of Allegiance,
OFFICIALS
Present at thelrneeting were Council President Armen Papyan (on -site); Councilmembers Verna Seal (on -
site), Kate Krulier (on -site), Dennis Martinez (on -site), Hannah Hedrick (on -site), Joe Torres Camacho (on-
ste), and Jane Ho (on -site).
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
CouncnImember Kruller stated The City of Tukwila is located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Sash
people, We acknowledge their continuing connections to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to,
their elders past, present and emergung."
CITY OFFICIALS
Thomas McLeod, Mayo, Marty Wine, City Administrator, Pete Mayer, Deputy City Administrator; Derek
Speck, Economic Development Administrator, Brandon Miles, Director of Strategic Initiatives and
Government Relations, Jen Tetatzin, Public Works Director; Sherry Edquid, Levee Project Manager, Nora
Gierioff, Director of Community Development; Eric Dreyer, Police Chief, Erne Lund, Deputy Police Chief;
Joel Bush, Chief Technology Officer; Jo Anderson, Inciusion & Engagement Manager, Minden Mattson,
Emergency Manager; Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst; Jennifer Marshall, Deputy City Clerk; Anna
Leek, City Clerk Program Analyst
PUBLIC COMMENTS
I Dennis Robertson shared concerns regarding current holding practices conducted by the Department
of Homeland Security (D S) and requested City Council inquire into local offices,
2 Jerry Effenberger, a resident of Lake Forest Park, spoke on Seattle City Light increasing rates and
requested Tukwnla City Council's support in preventing rate adjustments for residents on fixed
incomes,
Joe Duthie inquired into the current procedures on Hock cameras and asked if they are being u zed by
Imrrigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
SPECIAL ISSUES,
a. December 2025 Flood Recap and Levee Status
Jen Tetatzin, Public Works Director and Sherry Edquid, Levee Project Manager, provided an
informational briefing regarding the impact, initial response and recovery efforts following the December
2025 flood event,
The Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding lessons learned during the flooding event,
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) protocols, damage to private property, staff
accommodations during shifts, and future plans for levee improvements.
Tukwila City Council Committee of the Whoe Minutes
March 23, 2026,Page ,2 of 3
b. Agreement with Low Income House Institute or Grant Funds to Operate the Tiny Horne Village
at CBSR
Brandon Miles, Director of Strategic Initiative & Government Relations, overviewed the grant agreement
with Low Income Housing Institute (LINO to operate the tiny home village at Church by the Side of the
Road, not to exceed the amount of $200,000
The Councilmembers asked ciar4ing questions regarding the amount of the fee agreement,
CONSENSUS EXISTED TO FORWARD THIS ITEM TO THE 03/23 SPECIAL M ETING CONSENT
AGENDA.
REPORTS
a. Mayor
Mayor McLeod attended Cascade View Elementary School and spoke to students about public safety and
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (iCE).
b. City Council
Councilmember Seal attended the March 18th Puget Sound Fire Authority Governance meeting where two
meritorious awards were presented and the 2020 Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority Plan Amendment
approved She noted Fire Station 74 will be hosting a Teddy Bear event on May 2",.
Councilmember Kruiter attended the Sound Cities Association meeting, the National League of Cities
(NLC) Convention in Washington, DC., and a Civics class at Foster High School She attended the grand
opening of the Tiry Horne Village at the Church By the Side of the Road and encouraged
Councilmembers to look into advisory committees for the property.
Additional events
Councilmernber Martinez also attended NLC and participated in a SKHHP Board Meeting on March 201h
where he was proud to announce the opening of the Tiny Home Village available to support families, as
well as adults.
Councilmember Hedrick also attended NLC and reported meeting with legislative staff in Washington,
D,C, to discuss funding for the 42nd Avenue ;ridge, She also attended Foster High School and
commended students for their civic engagement.
Councilmember Camacho supported students attending IslandWood, an environmental education school,
with the Tukwila Elementary's fifth -grade class and Lindbergh High School to work with students on urban
planning projects. He attended the Climate Equity Taskforce meeting in Seattle.
Councitmember tio also attended the Civics class at Foster High School and enjoyed listening to
students. She attended the March 16th Tukwila Historic& Society meeting and announced a series of
interviews named "'Stories of Arrival",
Counci rosidont Papyan attended NLC and Foster High School public safety discussion, He
appreciated the students at Foster High School for providing their difference of opinions in an informative
dialogue regarding public safety He attended the grand opening of the Tiny Home Village at the Church
By the Side of the Road and believes it speaks highly of new policies and the supportive community in
Tukwila,
c. Staff
There was no report
Tukwila City Could Committee of the Whole Minutes
March 23, 2026
Page 3 of 3
MISCELLANEOUS
Councilmember Seal referenced an earlier publlio comment regarding Department of Homeland Security
holding cells and indicated she continues to research ways to support the community with immigration
enforcement issues,
Council President Papyan reminded Council of upcoming decisions to be made by Sound Transit and
requested consensus from Council to send a Iletter of support for the Boeing Access Road station.
CONSENSUS EXISTED TO WRITE A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE BEING ACCESS ROAD
STATION TO THE SOUND TRANSIT BOARD.
Mayor McLeod noted the Sound Transit Board will be haying a meeting in May to discuss capital projects.
He noted due to budget concerns some projects could potentially be delayed He suggested that
increased public interest and communications would assist with keeping the Boeing Access Road station
as a priority.
ADJOURNMENT
8:59 P.M. UNANIMOUS CONSENSUS EXISTED T
MEETING FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING.
Amen Papya Cdfuncil President
Anna Lieck, City Clerk Program Analyst
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL: 04/06/2026
AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE: 04/07/2026
ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE