City of Tacoma Washington sent this bulletin at 04/10/2022 10:35 AM PDT
Dear District 2 residents,
I have enjoyed my first 100 days on the Tacoma City Council serving the residents of District 2, which includes parts of downtown Tacoma, Stadium District, Old Town, North Slope, the Port of Tacoma and Northeast Tacoma. Elected to the Tacoma City Council in November 2021, I have found the complexities of my work as a Council Member to be both challenging and rewarding. With your ongoing engagement, as well as the support of my great Council colleagues, I find myself looking to the future with much optimism.
Many of you know me but, for those who don’t, I’d like to share a little bit about myself. Recently, I served as a member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium, a non-profit which provides public education and advocacy for the expansion of affordable housing in Pierce County. I am currently serving as president of the Associated Ministries board, and this is my sixth and final year there. I served on the City of Tacoma’s Human Rights Commission to study and investigate problems with prejudice, racism, and discrimination, and to encourage and coordinate the implementation of programs consistent with the needs and rights of all residents of Tacoma. I have been an active member at Temple Beth El, and served as president, and currently co-chair our Social Justice Committee.
I have a professional background in city planning, and have also worked to raise funds for several non-profit agencies that address a range of social issues to include environmental education, university funding, sexual assault and sexual abuse, and business development.
I attended Gonzaga University on a cross country scholarship, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in history. I also earned a master’s degree in environmental studies from The Evergreen State College. I served as PTA president at Browns Point Elementary, and have lived in Northeast Tacoma with my husband, Stan, since 2008. I have two daughters, Miriam and Gabrielle.
This has been such a journey for me, from running for office to serving in office. I got very good at running for office, and now I am working to figure out how best to serve as your Council Member. Thank you to all of you who have reached out to talk or schedule a meeting. With the support of Council staff, I will always find a way to address your needs and concerns. Although I may not always be able to connect with you individually, be assured that I am keeping a close eye on everything that comes across my desk and a significant amount of work is underway to help find strategic, long-term solutions that work for District 2 and Tacoma as a whole.
Sincerely,
Councilmember Sarah Rumbaugh City of Tacoma | District 2
Every Council Member is assigned to two City Council committees. I am serving on the Community Vitality and Safety (CVS) Committee and the Government Performance and Finance Committee (GPFC), and I am an alternate member on the Economic Development Committee (EDC).
The CVS Committee is working to address the deeply complex issue of homelessness. GPFC is working on a variety of issues that fall under the broad umbrella of government performance and accountability, including a review of Rainier Connect’s contract with Tacoma Public Utilities.
In addition to our noon Study Sessions and 5 PM Council Meetings, which take place on Tuesdays, much of the City Council’s work is done in Council standing committees. You can learn more about our four committees on the City Council Committees webpage, including information on how to attend in person or virtually.
I also serve in my official capacity as a Tacoma City Council Member on the Board of the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center, the Pierce County Regional Council, Tacoma Council of PTA/City Government Liaison, and the Zoo Trek Authority. I am an alternate member the Foundation for Tacoma Schools, the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Growth Management Policy Board, and the South Sound 911 and WorkForce Central boards.
(L – R) My daughters Miri and Gabi, myself, and my husband Judge Stanley Rumbaugh.
A visit to the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant with Mike Slevin, Environmental Services Director, who was showing me the newest electrical upgrades.
I joined the Comprehensive Life Resources Outreach team for a day. We visited two homeless encampments and gave out socks, water, and some other necessities.
I attended the Foss Harbor Neighborhood’s first meeting since 2019. As you can imagine, they had a lot to share.
Litter Free 253 is a community effort driven by a group of volunteers who promote the idea that everyone plays a role in keeping litter out of our streets, parks, and neighborhoods through organized litter pick-up events, including an annual citywide litter-pick up. Last year, approximately 600 volunteers participated, and collected about 10 tons of litter. This year, the South End, Eastside, and West End Neighborhood Councils have teamed up to organize Tacoma's 3rd annual Litter Free 253 event on April 16 from 9 – 11 AM at locations across the City. If you live in Northeast Tacoma, we will be meeting to do litter pick-up on April 16 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church (6800 East Side Drive NE).
Teams or individuals sign up through Litter Free 253 and are provided gloves, garbage bags, and safety vests through the City’s Adopt-a-Spot program. The City Council just contributed $2,500 from contingency funds to support this group’s fantastic efforts and to make sure every volunteer has a litter grabber for the event.
