Katie Connors

The special meeting agenda included scheduled segments for breakfast, the call to order, Mayor's remarks, and Council engagement, covering council assignments, commission liaisons, and ad hoc committees, as well as proclamations. Subsequent agenda items involved Council/Staff Communications, a Budget Update for 2025-2026, an update on 2025-2026 Council Goals, Events/Sponsorships discussion, and planning related to Design Standards and Long-Term Vision. The document also detailed committee and representative assignments for 2026 and proposed a calendar for annual city proclamations, including reviews for cultural diversity, health, and community events throughout the year.

The meeting agenda included call to order, roll call, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Presentations featured proclamations for Black History Month and American Red Cross Month. The Consent Agenda encompassed the approval of previous minutes from February 2, 2026, receiving and filing claims dated January 30, 2026, authorizing the disposal of surplus vehicles and equipment, and authorizing the City Manager to purchase a 2026 Ford F250 Pickup Truck. Further consent agenda items involved authorizing the execution of a Sponsorship Agreement with TAPCO Credit Union, a third amendment to SoftResources' Professional Services Agreement for the new ERP system, and an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Fircrest for road design and construction. Following council comments, a Study Session was held to discuss the proposed ordinance for creating a new Arts and Culture Commission, focusing on membership structure, youth participation, and scope clarification. The Study Session concluded with a discussion regarding updating the City Council travel policy to address outdated budget limits and support increased national/regional conference attendance.

The Regular Meeting included the presentation of a proclamation recognizing longstanding support for the Seattle Seahawks. Key items addressed under the Consent Agenda included the approval of payroll, recognition of a random act of kindness week, the declaration of certain vehicles and equipment as surplus for disposal, and the authorization to purchase a 2026 Freightliner dump truck body with snowplow installation. Council considered and adopted a Resolution renaming Homestead Park to Broback Homestead Park upon recommendation from the Parks Advisory Commission. City Manager comments detailed the completion of a directional and district sign installation project funded by ARPA. Council members provided updates on various initiatives, including Valentines for Veterans, City Action Days, the Tacoma-Pierce County Horizons Economic Forecast 2026, and efforts concerning the Lewis Army Museum closure and regional homelessness. Discussions during the Study Session focused on creating a new Arts and Culture Commission, detailing its proposed membership structure, role in advising on public art, and handling of youth positions. The Council also discussed updating the Council travel policy, which was last updated in 2018, to address insufficient annual allocations and explore funding options for out-of-state conference attendance.

The document references agenda materials for a scheduled meeting, including links to related documents.

Key discussions included a presentation by the University Place School District Superintendent regarding the February 10 Special Election propositions covering levies and bonds for educational programs, construction, and capital projects. The introduction of a new Traffic Safety Officer, Deputy Rasheen Farrell, was also a key item. The Consent Agenda covered multiple reappointments to various advisory commissions and authorization for significant expenditures, including a local agency agreement for survey services for the 67th Avenue Phase 3 project and the purchase of a 2026 Freightliner dump truck. Separately, the Council adopted a resolution amending the Purchasing Policy to increase the Simplified Acquisition Threshold to $350,000. In City Manager and Council Comments, updates were provided on the Grandview Plaza project, regional homelessness strategy, and upcoming city events. During the Study Session, the Council reached an agreement to proceed with renaming Homestead Park to Broback Homestead Park, with the Broback family offering financial support for new signage. Staff was directed to prepare formal action items for the next meeting.