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Tacoma City Council members voted to strengthen environmental protections by amending the Critical Areas Ordinance“In a vote during their regular meeting on Tuesday, the Tacoma City Council chose to strengthen environmental protections by amending the City’s Critical Areas Ordinance.”
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The amendment to the Critical Areas Ordinance occurred on Tuesday, July 14, 2026No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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The update incorporates recent scientific guidance for wetlands, streams, and buffers“These revisions focus on protecting fish and wildlife habitats by using recently updated scientific guidance for wetlands, streams, and buffers.”
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The update aims to better protect fish and wildlife habitats“These revisions focus on protecting fish and wildlife habitats by using recently updated scientific guidance for wetlands, streams, and buffers.”
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Council Member Sarah Rumbaugh called the amendment a step toward balancing economic growth and environmental stewardship““The Critical Areas Ordinance update is another important step in the work we’ve been doing to strengthen environmental protections across Tacoma,” District 2 Council Member Sarah Rumbaugh said. “It builds on the collaborative foundation established through the Tideflats Subarea Plan, demonstrating that economic opportunity and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Our community has consistently said protecting our environment is a priority, and this ordinance delivers meaningful action that reflects those values.””
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The ordinance review is required every decade“"Our review of the Critical Areas Ordinance takes place every ten years to ensure that our regulations incorporate the best available science related to environmental conservation and natural hazards," District 1 Council Member John Hines said.”
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The ordinance review followed over a year of work by city staff and the Planning Commission“"Our review of the Critical Areas Ordinance takes place every ten years to ensure that our regulations incorporate the best available science related to environmental conservation and natural hazards," District 1 Council Member John Hines said. "This update follows extensive engagement with the public and more than a year of hard work by our Planning Commission and City staff. I’m pleased that the updates we have adopted tonight will protect our wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, and much more, while also ensuring that Tacoma continues to be economically dynamic and able to accommodate our future needs as we continue to grow".”
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Council Member John Hines noted the changes will protect conservation areas“"Our review of the Critical Areas Ordinance takes place every ten years to ensure that our regulations incorporate the best available science related to environmental conservation and natural hazards," District 1 Council Member John Hines said. "This update follows extensive engagement with the public and more than a year of hard work by our Planning Commission and City staff. I’m pleased that the updates we have adopted tonight will protect our wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, and much more, while also ensuring that Tacoma continues to be economically dynamic and able to accommodate our future needs as we continue to grow".”
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Council Member John Hines noted the changes will support Tacoma's growth“"Our review of the Critical Areas Ordinance takes place every ten years to ensure that our regulations incorporate the best available science related to environmental conservation and natural hazards," District 1 Council Member John Hines said. "This update follows extensive engagement with the public and more than a year of hard work by our Planning Commission and City staff. I’m pleased that the updates we have adopted tonight will protect our wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, and much more, while also ensuring that Tacoma continues to be economically dynamic and able to accommodate our future needs as we continue to grow".”
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The council will now implement the updated rulesNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell announced a $20-per-hour minimum wage proposal“At today’s Tacoma City Council Economic Development Committee meeting, Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell led a discussion on how the Tacoma City Council could raise the minimum wage to $20 per hour.”
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Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell announced the minimum wage proposal after gathering stakeholder input“Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell led a discussion on how the Tacoma City Council could raise the minimum wage to $20 per hour. “We need a minimum wage that works for the City of Tacoma,” said Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell. “Cost of living remains one of the top concerns for Tacoma residents, and I’m committed to an inclusive, thoughtful analysis of a minimum wage proposal that considers the diverse experiences and perspectives that make up Tacoma’s economy. That includes hearing from as many people as possible on this issue.” Tacoma residents have engaged in conversations over the years about what fair wages mean for workers, families, employers, and the overall health of the local economy. Recognizing the importance of hearing directly from the people and organizations who would be most affected by any potential policy changes, Deputy Mayor Bushnell engaged stakeholders representing a wide cross-section of Tacoma to create the Tacoma Minimum Wage Community and Stakeholder Engagement Report , including labor unions, nonprofits, local businesses, healthcare leaders, childcare providers, students, and the Tacoma Anchor Network. Following today’s presentation of the report to the Economic Development Committee, Deputy Mayor Bushnell is developing an ordinance to bring to the full Council for consideration in the fall.”
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An ordinance for the $20-per-hour minimum wage proposal is expected by fall“Following today’s presentation of the report to the Economic Development Committee, Deputy Mayor Bushnell is developing an ordinance to bring to the full Council for consideration in the fall.”
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Tacoma Police arrested a suspect in a 2024 homicide“Tacoma Police detectives have arrested a suspect in connection with the 2024 homicide that occurred in the 2000 block of East 28th Street.”
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The suspect was arrested on July 13, 2026“On July 13, 2026, the adult male suspect turned himself in at the request of detectives and was booked into the Pierce County Jail for Murder in the Second Degree.”
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The suspect turned himself in“On July 13, 2026, the adult male suspect turned himself in at the request of detectives and was booked into the Pierce County Jail for Murder in the Second Degree.”
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The suspect faces second-degree murder charges“On July 13, 2026, the adult male suspect turned himself in at the request of detectives and was booked into the Pierce County Jail for Murder in the Second Degree.”