HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2026-04-20 Item 6A / 7A - Public Hearing - Moratorium on Correctional Institutions & Detention FacilitiesCity of Tukwila
Thomas McLeod, Mayor
Marty Wine, City Administrator
AGENDA BILL
ITEM NO.
6.A. & TA.
Agenda Item
Sponsor Brandon Miles, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Government Relations
Nora Gierloff, Director of Community Development
Legislative History
Recommended Motion
Hearing on Moratorium for Correctional Institutions and Detention
Facilities
February 23, 2026 Regular Meeting
April 13, 2026 Committee of the Whole
April 20, 2026 Regular Meeting
❑x Discussion Only ❑ Action Requested
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On February 23, 2026 the Council passed an emergency ordinance to enact a temporary moratorium
on the acceptance of applications to establish, locate, operate, develop, or license a correctional
institution or any detention or related facility for the detention, transportation, and food services for
people detained by state, local, or federal law enforcement. Pursuant to RCW 35A.63.220 and RCW
3670A.390, the City is required to hold a public hearing regarding the moratorium within 60 days after
passage of the proposed ordinance. This public hearing will be held at the April 13 Committee of the
Whole Meeting and continued to the April 20 Regular City Council Meeting.
DISCUSSION
In December, the Department of Homeland Security released a pre -solicitation notice for a
service provider to create a facility close to Seattle and with proximity to airport services providing
for comprehensive detention, transportation and food services for detainees. Tukwila adopted a
moratorium on the siting of essential public facilities, specifically correctional institutions, detention
facilities, or related facilities, in order to allow time for the public outreach called for in the City's
Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Element, Policy LU-6.1, which provides as follows:
Policy LU-6.1: Ensure that any discussion of sitting or expanding essential public
facilities or facilities of regional importance use a process that incorporates broad
public involvement, especially from historically marginalized and disproportionately
burdened communities, and that impacts and benefits are equitably dispersed.
Ordinance 2782 was adopted on an emergency basis and was immediately effective. It will expire six
months from its passage, August 23, 2026, unless extended or terminated earlier by subsequent
Council action. It may be effective for up to one year if a work plan is developed for related studies
providing for such a longer period. A moratorium ordinance may be renewed for one or more six-month
periods if a subsequent public hearing is held and findings of fact are made prior to each renewal
pursuant to RCW 35A.63.220. Staff will review the need for the moratorium ahead of the August
expiration and return to Council for consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
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