North End Neighborhood Council Meeting –
www.nenc.org or NENC Facebook
Monday, February 2, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Cookies & Cider from 5:30 p.m.
****MEETING ROOM LOCATION****
University of Puget Sound
Presentation Room (#102) in the Welcome Center
(N. 15th St. and N. Alder St)
Virtual – Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 882 2046 7648
Passcode: 649767
While state and local legislation like the 1990 Growth Management Act and Home in Tacoma aim to manage urban growth, most new private housing remains unaffordable for those earning below the city’s median income. To address this gap, Tacoma City Council Member Latasha Palmer and Tacoma For All Co-Chair Ty Moore are presenting alternative housing business models specifically designed to serve the 50% of households earning less than $85,000 per year.
If you have questions or topics that you would like to submit in advance reply to this email or send to admin@nenc.org.
Agenda
1) Introductions and welcome—
2) Announcements —
3) Standard Liaison Reports
- Police – Kristen Braziel
- Fire – Josh Schlesner
- Tacoma Public Utilities – John Gaines
- Tacoma Parks – Alisa O’Hanlon Regala
- City Manager’s Office – Christina Caan
4) City Council Member Reports
5) Tidy Up Tacoma – Ruby Gabriel, Environmental Services / Tidy-Up Tacoma
6) Affordable Housing Options
• City of Tacoma Council Member – Latasha Palmer
Council Member Palmer will explain some of the affordable housing options in Tacoma’s Comprehensive Plan. She will focus on permanently affordable housing models, such as Community Land Trusts, cooperative housing, and Social Housing, that have successfully helped address the housing and homelessness crises in other cities.
• Tacoma For All Co-Director – Tyron Moore
Ty Moore will outline the group’s vision for publicly owned, mixed-income, permanently affordable Social Housing in Tacoma. He will also outline Tacoma for All’s plans for the SAFE Homes initiative the group aims to put on the November 2026 ballot. The initiative will move Tacoma beyond a system of voluntary compliance by establishing clear, mandatory enforcement standards that ensure all parties follow the city’s housing laws. Moore will discuss how the proposal empowers residents to organize tenant unions for building-level safety and shifts the financial burden of enforcement away from taxpayers and onto the repeat offenders who violate the law.
7) Old Business
8) New Business
9) Adjournment
Our next meeting will be on Monday March 2 when the NENC will hear from Brian Boudet Division Manager, City of Tacoma Planning & Development Department. What has happened in the 12 months since Home in Tacoma 2 zoning regulations went into effect? The new zoning regulations introduced Urban Residential zones to expand housing options, allowing for a broader range of housing types, including backyard cottages, rowhouses, and others, in Tacoma neighborhoods. It also updated parking rules, promoted tree preservation, and enabled flexible lot use.
The NENC provides a forum for education and discussion of issues of interest to members of our community. The NENC does not endorse the opinions of speakers or any proposed legislation unless otherwise noted.
At Large and District Council Members:
https://www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_council
CM John Hines represents citizens District 1 CM Sarah Rumbaugh represents citizens District 2
Three Council Members represents citizens in At-Large:
Kristina Walker Position 8, Olgy Diaz Position 7 and Latasha Palmer Position 6
North End Neighborhood Council Board
Direct your questions or comments to: officers@gmail.com
Chair- Peter Bennett, Vice-Chair- Tobi Bet, Treasurer- Jodi Cook, Secretary- Bonnie O’Leary,
Joe Tieger, Georgette Reuter, Geoff Corso, Danielle Villegas, Sandra Strong, Deb Anderson, Joe Strong
NENC Meeting Topics
• March 2 – Home in Tacoma update/review with Brian Bodett
• April 6 – Olympia Legislative Session update (+/- School District and Library?)
• May 4 – Historic Preservation
• June 1 – Roads Initiative (+/- School District and Library?)
• July 6 – Environmental Services (Director Chavez)
• August 3 – Tree Canopy
• September 7 – Business Development/Port of Tacoma
• October 5 – Election Forum
• November 2 – Cushman/Adams update; (NENC Board Elections)
• December 7 – Climate Action
Friendly Reminder to Vote: Tacoma Public Schools Feb. 10th Special Election
Proposition 1: Replacement of expiring Levy for K-12 Educational Programs and Operations. Proposition 2: Replacement of Expiring
Levy for K-12 Technology Improvements and Upgrades. More detailed information can be found at
https://www.tacomaschools.org/about/bond/february-10-2026-election
Parks Tacoma Winter Events Please check out their website for a list of fun family activities including a 5K and 10K Valentine Day
Run at Dune Park at 9:00 am. https://www.parkstacoma.gov/
Let’s Help to “Reforest Tacoma” https://www.reforesttacoma.com/
Reforest Tacoma is a grassroots effort to influence and support the execution of the City Council’s Urban Forest Action Plan. The purpose of the Reforest Tacoma website is to help keep us informed of the state of our City’s Urban Forest and also provide many opportunities for our residents to advocate for the much-needed protection and growth of our city’s tree canopy.
Tacoma’s Urban Forest Priority Action Plan! In response to the overwhelming community support for enhancing Tacoma’s tree canopy, the UFPAP was adopted by the City Council’s IPS Committee in May 2025. This plan outlines a set of phased actions to expand the City’s planting and maintenance of trees. For more information:
https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/environmental-services/urban-forestry
It’s Tree Planting Time! Receive a coupon to save $30 on a new tree that will add beauty, provide shade and save energy. These coupons are available to request online from Oct. 1 st until March 15 from Tacoma Urban Forestry. They can be redeemed for $30 off per tree purchased (up to 3 trees) at local participating nurseries including our local Gardensphere Nursery. Sign up at
Future Reuse Plans for the Historic Cushman and Adams Substationsl for updated information about these 2 sites, please go to the NENC website nenc.org to watch the video “Our Big Vision”
https://nenc.org/explore/cushman/
Also, you can explore the City of Tacoma’s Cushman and Adams website. https://tacoma.gov/project/cushman-and-adams-substations
Wheelock Public Library offers many programs in February including Drop-in Tech Help, Family Chess Club, Wheelock Book Club and Family Storytime. https://www.tacomalibrary.org/locations/8/
Proctor Farmer’s Market “Rain or Shine” on Feb. 14 and Feb. 28. For other Proctor events please go to their website https://shoptheproctordistrict.com
Get Involved with the Tacoma Tree Foundation https://tacomatreefoundation.org
To learn about this amazing organization, visit their updated website where you will find monthly events, YouTube videos, opportunities to volunteer, advocacy information, tree canopy topics, informative Blog topics and much, much more!
• Wed., Feb. 4 th , 12-1:00, Webinar “Cost Benefit Analysis of Tacoma Street Trees”
• Wed., Feb. 18, 5:30-7:00, “Spring Awakening” with Sarah Low at Fern Hill Public Library
• Sat., Feb. 21, 9:00-2:00, South End Planting Event
