Greetings District 5, Summer is a time for outdoor fun and events, and also an opportunity to connect with neighbors and build community. I set out to do that this year by hosting three coffee chats across District 5. I want to give a special thank you to everyone who joined me to share their thoughts and ask questions about City governance! The topics I heard most about were what the City is doing around public safety, addressing homelessness issues, and city services like 311. These robust conversations allowed me to learn about the concerns many of you have and provide some insight into what the city is currently doing and how best to use tools like 311 to address many concerns. It is important to me to hear from our community and keep checking back in with all of you so your voices are at the center of the work I do Thank you, Council Member Joe Bushnell City of Tacoma, District 5

Topics in this newsletter include: 

• Apply for a Tacoma Power one-time, $200 credit
• Tacoma Police Department to Host Community Meetings Announcing Deployment of ShotSpotter Technology
• Sign up for the Community Police Academy
• 2025-2026 Biennial Budget Development
• Serve your community on one of the City’s Committees, Boards and Commissions!
• Neighborhood Council Program Survey Open Now Through August 31
• Restaurant 101 Workshop Highlights Insights From Local Restaurant Owners on August 28
• Home in Tacoma update
• New Opportunities to Stay Engaged in South Tacoma Through the Neighborhood Plan
• CM Bushnell in the Community
• In conclusion

Apply for a Tacoma Power one-time, $200 credit

You may be familiar with the Washington Families Clean Energy Grant through the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), providing a one-time, $200 credit for qualifying Tacoma Power customers. I want to make sure you have the opportunity to get some money back into your wallet so don’t miss out! These credits will be applied until funding runs out. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. The grant is being provided to utility customers to help with the clean energy transition. Information about the CCA is available at Climate.WA.gov. Tacoma Power customers can apply at MyTPU.org/CCACredit. If you are not a Tacoma Power customer, you can visit the state’s website to apply through your utility provider.

Tacoma Police Department to Host Community Meetings Announcing Deployment of ShotSpotter Technology

The Tacoma Police Department is pleased to announce the deployment of SoundThinking’s acoustic gunshot detection technology, ShotSpotter, covering two square miles in Tacoma later this fall. ShotSpotter allows law enforcement agencies to swiftly identify and locate gunfire incidents through real-time alerts that pinpoint the precise location of gunfire. This technology enables officers to promptly reach the scene, identify and aid victims, interview witnesses, collect crucial evidence, and, in some instances, apprehend armed and dangerous offenders. The utilization of ShotSpotter will support the Violent Crime Reduction Plan, with the initial deployment occurring in the Hosmer area of the city. As I’m sure you’re aware, Hosmer has been a large focus area for me and I appreciate that the police department is working closely with the community and also trying new technologies to help keep our community safe.

In line with our commitment to community safety and crime prevention, the Tacoma Police Department will host informative community meetings to unveil the details of the upcoming ShotSpotter deployment. These meetings will provide an in-depth understanding of how ShotSpotter operates and its pivotal role in bolstering law enforcement efforts to combat crime while ensuring the safety of both officers and citizens.

Community members are encouraged to attend the following scheduled meetings to learn more about this groundbreaking initiative:

Wednesday, Aug 21^st at 6:00 PM at the 4-sector substation 400 East 56^th St. Tacoma, WA

Thursday, Aug 22^nd at 6:00 PM at the 4-sector substation 400 East 56^th St. Tacoma, WA

A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the City of Tacoma website.

Sign up for the Community Police Academy

Would you like to gain insight into how the Tacoma Police Department works? The Community Police Academy is for you. Every person I have heard from that has gone through this training has found it very valuable and informative.

The Community Police Academy highlights the Tacoma Police Department's Community-Oriented Policing philosophy, which strengthens the bond between our community members and our police officers as we proactively work together to solve community issues of varying complexity.

The goal of the Community Police Academy is to create a growing core of well-informed community members who are proud of their police department, and who can serve as ambassadors who share their experiences with and knowledge about law enforcement with other community members.

During three-hour sessions (6-9 PM), held on Wednesdays in the fall for 13 weeks, the Community Police Academy offers City of Tacoma residents, its employees, and Tacoma community and business leaders an up-close and personal look at the way the Tacoma Police Department is organized

The next academy will begin September 2024, and run through the first week of December 2024 (with no class in November, the day before Thanksgiving). Learn how to register here.

2025-2026 Biennial Budget Development

Our 2025-2026 Biennial Budget development process is an opportunity for us, as a community, to come together to meet pressing community needs with a focus on establishing long-term, sustainable solutions. Determining the budget is one of the most important things the Tacoma City Council does, and I am dedicated to hearing from District 5 residents to understand your priorities as we embark on this critical decision.

We will be discussing the development of our 2025-2026 Biennial Budget during regularly scheduled City Council study sessions and meetings, and access details along with specifics on how community members can share their thoughts with us will be distributed to the media, posted online at cityoftacoma.org/budget and cityoftacoma.legistar.com, aired on TV Tacoma, and promoted on our official social media platforms. 

Online, one of the tools we will use to gather quantitative data is called Balancing Act. It allows you to play with budget scenarios by making increases or decreases to service levels as you try to balance the City’s General Fund budget. Visit the Balancing Act web page to find out more.

Serve your community on one of the City’s Committees, Boards and Commissions!

The City is always looking for applicants for its volunteer committees, boards and commissions. These groups are critical in advising the City Council and guiding the City’s efforts on key topics that impact the day to day lives of Tacoma residents.

The City is committed to fostering an equitable and anti-racist organization and wants its committees, boards, and commissions to reflect Tacoma’s diverse community. For these vacancies, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, and refugees are especially encouraged to apply.

There is also a need for geographic diversity in our volunteers. Us district 5 residents understand the issues unique to our district, and the City needs that knowledge and expertise to inform broader decision making.

Right now applications are open until August 21 for the Urban Design Board. You can also sign up to receive updates on new volunteer openings for all committees, boards, and commissions.

Neighborhood Council Program Survey Open Now Through August 31

Community members are invited to take a survey now through August 31 to provide feedback on the City of Tacoma’s Neighborhood Council program.  

With an ongoing focus on fostering deeper levels of community engagement, and supporting government transparency and accessibility, the City’s Neighborhood Council Standards and Guidelines are reviewed every five years along with possible amendments to Tacoma Municipal Code 1.45.    

Tacoma currently has eight Neighborhood Councils, and one overarching Community Council, supporting Tacoma’s diverse communities and engaging with the City on neighborhood issues, concerns, and priorities identified by community members. More information on the City’s Neighborhood Council program, including a link to the survey and instructions on how to take the survey, is available at cityoftacoma.org/neighborhoodcouncils.    

Community members with questions about the survey, or who would like to receive or provide information in an alternate format, can contact Keegan Buckley in the Neighborhood and Community Services Department at neighborhoodcouncils@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5634.

Restaurant 101 Workshop Highlights Insights From Local Restaurant Owners on August 28

The City of Tacoma's Community and Economic Development Department is hosting a Restaurant 101 Workshop on August 28, from 4 – 6 PM, at Edison Square (5415 S. Tacoma Way). The event will feature local restaurant owners who will provide their insights into starting and growing a restaurant or food and beverage business.

This free event is designed to help participants navigate the complexities of the industry. Event highlights include:

• An expert panel discussion
• Tips on navigating regulations for planning, environmental, and health compliance
• Financial planning to help understand budgeting for tenant improvements
• Networking opportunities

 Aspiring restaurant owners, current food and beverage business owners, and entrepreneurs interested in the food industry are encouraged to attend. The full workshop itinerary and event registration details are available on this page.

 Community members with questions or requests for information in alternate formats can contact Business Financing Program Manager Dierdre Patterson at Dpatterson3@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5621.

Home in Tacoma update

On September 24, the Tacoma City Council will hold a public hearing on the latest version of the Home in Tacoma package of code and zoning changes that govern housing construction in Tacoma. The hearing will be held during the City Council meeting and will begin upon completion of the regular agenda items, no earlier than 5:15 PM. The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format with in-person and virtual options to attend. Details on public information sessions to take place prior to the hearing - along with details on how to participate in the hearing and submit comments on the proposal - will be posted as soon as they become available at cityoftacoma.org/homeintacoma.

How to Attend and Comment:

• In-Person - City Council Public Hearing: Tuesday, September 24, 2024 - no earlier than 5:15 PM, 747 Market Street, Council Chambers, Tacoma, WA 98402
• Virtual - via Zoom: Tuesday, September 24, 2024 - no earlier than 5:15 PM, Meeting Login: www.zoom.us/j/84834233126 (Passcode: 349099) Dial-in Option: 253-215-8782 (Meeting ID: 848 3423 3126)

Prior to the September 24 public hearing, community members can attend public information sessions on Thursday, September 12 or Thursday, September 19. These information sessions will provide information on the most recent amendments to the package and give community members the opportunity to have questions about the Home in Tacoma package answered.

Information Session 1 - In-Person

• Thursday, September 12, 6-7:30 PM
• 747 Market Street, Council Chambers, Tacoma, WA 98402

 Information Session 2 - Virtual

• Thursday, September 19, 6-7:30 PM
• Join the Zoom meeting: https://www.zoom.us/j/84739854007
• Dial-in option: 253-215-8782, Webinar ID 847 3985 4007

New Opportunities to Stay Engaged in South Tacoma Through the Neighborhood Plan

The City’s Neighborhood Planning Program (NPP) is still working on the South Tacoma Neighborhood Plan, and we want your feedback!

The Neighborhood Planning process brings together community organizations, businesses, residents, City departments, and partner agencies to identify a vision for the future—and then helps to implement that vision. These actions, ranging from short- to long-term projects, are aligned with other City programs and policies. The South Tacoma Neighborhood Plan process launched this winter, and we’ve heard fantastic input and feedback at events, via surveys, and in community meetings. Since June, Neighborhood Planning staff have been working with the Steering Group to use this feedback to develop the Plan goals.

The current phase of feedback is focused on getting your project ideas for specific actions that will be included in the final Plan.

Share your thoughts on an interactive project ideas map and survey! Provide comments and see what your neighbors are saying at specific locations.

Find staff and volunteers in person at community events and local businesses this summer!

• Summer Bash at STAR Center (3873 South 66th Street), Friday, August 23 from 6 to 9 PM
• Fernseed Pop-Up (Garage door along South 54th Street & South Tacoma Way), Saturday, August 31 from 11 AM to 2 PM, during the Haunted Farmers’ Market

Hive Co. Pop-Up (5436 South Tacoma Way), Saturday, September 28 from 10 AM to 1 PM, during the Haunted Farmers’ Market

CM Bushnell in the Community

The Eastside Neighborhood Advisory Council of Tacoma hosted a community clean up for former CM Catherine Ushka’s birthday at Catherine Ushka's Gas Station Park. This was a meaningful event that honored the life and contribution of our friend Catherine.

I continue to learn everything I can about how the City administers our nuisance code and works to keep neighborhoods clean and healthy. I had the chance to ride along with Inspector Ken Ketter to learn about how our code enforcement officers respond to your 311 reports. Remember, use Tacoma First 311 to let us know about issues and concerns in your neighborhood.

I attended the World Affairs Council of Tacoma’s Summer Social, celebrating the innovation and entrepreneurship of the Puyallup Tribe. I’m pictured here with other community leaders, including Greg Tanbara, Lua Pritchard, Suzanne Pak, and County Council Member Ryan Mello.

I joined Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland for an event celebrating a partnership between Eloise’s Cooking Pot Food Bank and DoorDash’s Project Dash. The partnership is approaching a milestone of 140,000 deliveries to vulnerable adults and families in Tacoma, University Place, Parkland, Spanaway, Lakewood, Puyallup, Fife, Federal Way, Algona, Pacific and Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

My wife and I, and our dog Thor, all came out for the South End Neighborhood Council’s Block Party and Resource Fair!

It was such an honor to hand out the City of Destiny Youth Leadership award to Hali Harris for her outstanding work in Tacoma. Hali goes to Silas High School and is a part of the Marine Corps JROTC. This was such a great moment as I had also been a part of Stadium High School’s Navy JROTC many years ago.

In conclusion

Thank you all for getting to the end! I hope you’ve found this newlsetter helpful. If there’s anything you’d be interested in learning about please let me know! I hope you all have a great rest of your summer!