North End Neighborhood Council Meeting – (3/2/26)

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North End Neighborhood Council Meeting

Monday, March 2, 2026
Cookies & Cider from 5:30 p.m. 
MONTHLY MEETING 6:00 pm

****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


Tacoma Parks Bond Issue
The upcoming bond issue in Tacoma aims to renew funding for park enhancements and replacements. If approved, the $155 million bond package will be on the special election ballot in April 2026. The bond will not raise tax rates for property owners, continuing the same level of taxes as before. Instead, it will generate up to $155 million for park improvements across the city. The projects will focus on existing park assets, neighborhood priorities, and include infrastructure updates, land acquisitions, and major improvements to community centers and zoos.

Agenda

1. Introductions and welcome
2. Announcements
3. Standard Liaison Reports

Police – Kristen Braziel
Fire – Josh Schlesner
City Manager’s Office – Christina Caan

4. City Council Member Reports
5. 2026 Parks Tacoma Bond Proposal

Alisa O’Hanlon Regala – Strategic Planning Manager, Tacoma Parks

Park District voters are being asked to renew bond funding for critical park enhancements and replacements under a bond package that will be on the special election ballot in April.  If approved, the $155 million bond package includes more than 100 projects throughout the city. The project list, which is designed to be implemented over a six-year period, primarily takes care of existing assets within the almost 120-year-old park system.  The bond would address urgent infrastructure updates and focus on neighborhood priorities identified through the Park District’s strategic planning process.

6. Tacoma Schools

Cary Campen, CSBS – Director of Strategic Financial Operations, Tacoma Public Schools

Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) is one of the largest districts in Washington State serving approximately 28,000 children in preschool through grade 12. The district has 36 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, 11 high schools and four early learning centers. TPS has nearly 5,000 employees and is one of the largest employers in Tacoma.

7. Unfinished Business

North Union Avenue Greenway nomination to the city’s Register of Historic Places.
Tidy Up Tacoma

8. New Business

9. Adjournment

Our next meeting will be on Monday April 6 when the NENC will hear from our 27th District Legislators on the 2026 Session in Olympia.

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
April 6 – Olympia Legislative Session update (+/- Library?)
May 4 – Historic Preservation
June 1 – Roads Initiative 
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

Spotlight on the Wheelock Public Library
Since 1927, the Anna E. McCormick library and the adjoining1987 Anna Lemon Wheelock Library have been serving our Tacoma residents. Located within the Proctor Shopping District, Wheelock is the most used library in all of Tacoma. It offers a wide range of books, magazines, audio books, and videos as well as special monthly programs for families, teens and adults. For more information about this amazing community resource, please go to their website:  https://www.tacomalibrary.org
or call  253-280-2800 When you visit Wheelock, be sure to notice the magnificent Pin Oak tree located on the corner of N. 26th and Adams. Planted in 1931, this tree joins the growing list of Tacoma’s Heritage Trees.
 
North Union Avenue Greenway The Tacoma Landmarks Preservation Commission is currently reviewing public comments on the nomination of the Union Avenue Greenway. In the near future, they will be voting on whether to forward the nomination to the City Council for approval.  More later.
 
Jefferson Park Improvement Survey This online survey is due by March 9th.
 https://www.engagepiercecounty.com/jefferson-park
 
Tacoma Tree Foundation tacomatreefoundation.org
On their updated website, you will be find monthly events, YouTube videos, opportunities to volunteer, advocacy information, tree canopy topics, informative Blog topics ands much more!.
• Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 3, 5:00-8:00, “Pints for Pines”, at Peaks and Pints, in Proctor at 3816 N.26thStreet. TTF will share why trees matter and how you can support local efforts to grow a healthy  urban forest for all. A percentage from draft pours goes to supporting Tacoma’s tree canopy.
 
“Tacoma: Chocolate Candy Capital of the World” presented by Michael Sullivan, Tacoma’s Storyteller, on Thursday, March 5, 7:00 at the Slavonian Hall, 2306 North 30th
 
It’s Tree Planting Time! You can request $30 coupon(s) for free trees at participating nurseries onlineuntil March 15. Sign up online https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/environmental-services/urban-forestry/programs-and-engagement-opportunities/#tree-coupon-program
 
UPS Annual Flea Market, Sat., March 21st, 10:00- 4:00, UPS Fieldhouse
 
Tacoma’s Heritage Tree Program Established in 2023, this program “Celebrates the City’s most notable trees, recognizing their vital contributions to our City.” If you have a special tree you would like to nominate as a Heritage Tree, please go to this website to find out how to apply.
https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/environmental-services/urban-forestry/programs-and-engagement-opportunities/#how-can-i-nominate-a-tree
 
“Reforest Tacoma”, a grassroots tree advocacy group, https://www.reforesttacoma.com/
 
 Tacoma’s Urban Forest Priority Action Plan to expand Tacoma’s tree canopy
https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/environmental-services/urban-forestry/
 
Future Reuse Plans for the Historic Cushman and Adams Substations 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

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