City of Tacoma Washington sent this bulletin at 10/01/2025 11:38 AM PDT
Hello District 1,
I hope fall is off to a busy and exciting start for everyone! September brought a full calendar of events for the Hines family, from community gatherings and new business openings to soccer games and meaningful family experiences along the way.
I’ve always loved this season, not just because football is back, but because the Mariners are giving us a real reason to keep our eyes on October this year. One of my personal highlights this past month was throwing out the first pitch at the final Rainiers home game of the season. It was an honor to be back on the field, and my wife and kids had a blast cheering on the players and soaking up the fun.
There’s so much more to share, and I’m glad you’re here to catch up with everything we’ve been working on in the City of Destiny.
Scenes from the City of Destiny
Pothole Palooza
One of my favorite events of the year is officially back! Pothole Palooza is returning this fall with more energy, more repairs, and yes, the return of our beloved mascot, Phil the Pothole.
While our Street Operations teams are working year-round to maintain and improve Tacoma’s roadways, Pothole Palooza is a fun and focused way to highlight that important work. It's also an opportunity to thank the incredible crews who are out there every day helping us get where we need to go—safely and smoothly.
From September 30 through October 13, City crews will be focusing on pothole repairs in 10 locations across Tacoma. Special attention is being given to arterial roadways, where improvements can make the biggest impact on daily travel.
Remember while Pothole Palooza is a fun way to spotlight these efforts, pothole repairs happen year-round. You can always report a pothole by calling Tacoma FIRST 311 or visiting tacoma.gov/311.
Investing in Safer Streets
Two new projects are coming to South Tacoma that reflect exactly the kind of work we need to keep our streets safer and more accessible for everyone. Thanks to state grants, the City has secured funding for Safe Routes to School improvements around Stewart Middle School and for Vision Zero planning on South Tacoma Way. These projects will improve sidewalks, intersections, and traffic calming features making it easier and safer for students, families, and neighbors to get where they need to go.
While these projects are just outside of District 1, they hit close to home for me. I’m a Stewart Middle School alum and my mom once worked along South Tacoma Way. I’ve long supported Tacoma’s Vision Zero initiative and Safe Routes to School programs because I believe deeply in the importance of creating a city where everyone, especially our kids, can travel safely on foot, by bike, or by transit. These are exactly the kinds of community-driven investments we need more of across Tacoma.
As we look ahead, I’m committed to advocating for these kinds of improvements in District 1, particularly along high-priority corridors like 6th Avenue from Pearl to Mildred which has been identified by our Vision Zero work and where we know traffic safety remains a concern. Whether near our schools, our business districts, or in our neighborhoods, we should all be able to move through our city with safety and confidence.
Trick or Streets
I’m excited to share that Trick or Streets is coming to Tacoma this fall! Inspired by an idea from a resident and launched in partnership with Safe Streets, this new event allows neighborhoods to sign up with Safe Streets to close their block to vehicle traffic for free so they can host Halloween, Día de los Muertos, or fall-themed celebrations. Like National Night Out, it’s a chance to create fun, safe spaces for neighbors to connect and celebrate the season together.
Since joining City Council, and especially as we’ve emerged from the isolation of COVID, I’ve been focused on finding new ways to bring people together. Community isn’t just built in City Council chambers; it’s built on sidewalks, porches, and in shared celebrations. Safe Streets is where I first got involved in public service back in high school, and it means a lot to be partnering with them now to help others build that same spirit of connection.
If you’ve never hosted a neighborhood event before, this is a great opportunity to give it a try. Trick or Streets is about more than just candy, it’s about community. Learn more and start planning your free celebration by visiting Safe Streets today!
Reauthorizing Tacoma Creates
Tacoma Creates is one of the most powerful tools we have to invest in the cultural organizations that make our city vibrant, inclusive, and connected. Since it was first approved by voters in 2018, the program has supported dozens of organizations that promote arts, culture, heritage, and science. Tacoma Creates has brought programming to every neighborhood and expanded access for people of all ages. As we prepare to discuss reimposing the 1/10th of 1 percent sales and use tax, I’m looking forward to a thoughtful conversation about how we continue to support this vital work and ensure these investments remain strong for years to come.
As someone who previously served as the City Council representative on the Tacoma Arts Commission, and as a parent whose kids attended the Grant Center for the Expressive Arts, I’ve seen firsthand the value of creative opportunities in our city. Arts and culture help us tell our stories, bring people together, and shape a sense of identity in every neighborhood. I’m proud to support Tacoma Creates and excited to be part of the conversation as we consider the future of this important community resource.
You can read more here about the 80 organizations that will receive funding through Tacoma Creates for the 2025–2026 cycle and look forward to future programming in the years ahead.
Trash Talk
This past month, I had the pleasure of hosting a town hall at Tacoma Community College focused on an issue that affects every neighborhood: trash, litter, and graffiti. It was great to be joined by representatives from Environmental Services and the team behind Tidy-Up Tacoma, as well as Litter Free 253, to talk about the City’s efforts to keep our streets clean, help residents dispose of excess waste, and respond to graffiti. I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to come out, ask questions, and share ideas—this is always a lively and important topic, and it was great to see a full room of neighbors ready to make a difference.
One of the conversations that stuck with me was about volunteering. Several community members asked how we can get more people involved—not just in cleanups, but in spreading awareness about why littering and dumping are so damaging to our shared spaces. The volunteers who spoke reminded me that education is just as important as action: if we want a cleaner Tacoma, we need more people to understand the why behind the work.
One great way to get involved is through Green Tacoma Day, happening Saturday, October 11. This annual day of service, led by the Green Tacoma Partnership, brings together volunteers of all ages to plant trees, restore green spaces, explore our natural areas, and learn more about the ecosystems that make Tacoma special. Whether you’re a regular volunteer or showing up for the first time, your time and energy make a real impact. You can find more information about how to sign up here.
Looking ahead, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we tell our story when it comes to trash and cleanliness. For years, I’ve kicked around the idea of launching a campaign called Keep Tacoma Beautiful, and more recently I’ve been working on another one I call Don’t Trash Tacoma.
No matter the name, the goal is the same: build pride, raise awareness, and make sure everyone in Tacoma feels a sense of responsibility for the places we all share. Whether you’re picking up litter, reporting graffiti, or just putting waste in the right place, we see you and we appreciate you.
Catching Up with Council Member Hines
Animal Control Ride Along
This past month, I had the opportunity to do something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time: a ride along with Tacoma’s Animal Control and Compliance officers. As someone who’s worked on animal welfare issues throughout my time on City Council, including updates to our animal control code, I know how important it is that we care for the animals who are part of our community. This ride-along gave me a firsthand look at the day-to-day work of the officers who respond to calls, check on animals in need, and help keep both people and pets safe across our city.
We covered a lot of ground, both literally and in conversation. From discussing spay and neuter programs to the care of community cats, it was a valuable chance to learn more about how Animal Control and Compliance is working to balance compassion, safety, and public health. I walked away with a deeper appreciation for the team doing this work every day and for the animals who bring so much love and comfort into our lives.
Pedal with Politicians
This month, I joined Pedal with Politicians, an annual bike ride hosted by Downtown On the Go that brings residents, City of Tacoma staff, and elected officials together to explore Tacoma’s bike infrastructure. It’s one of my favorite events, not just because it gets us out riding, but because it sparks meaningful conversations about what’s working, what’s missing, and how we can build a safer, more connected city. While I’m more of a runner and walker than a cyclist, I know how important it is to create streets that work for everyone.
Good bike infrastructure isn’t just good for cyclists--it makes our neighborhoods safer for pedestrians, drivers, and transit riders, too. I’m grateful to Downtown On the Go and 2nd Cycle for organizing this ride and continuing to push Tacoma toward a more accessible, people-centered transportation network. Events like this help us imagine what’s possible when we invest in the kind of city we all want to live in.
Association of Washington Cities Update
As Tacoma’s representative on the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Board of Directors, I recently joined colleagues from across the state for our annual strategic planning retreat. We focused on developing shared priorities heading into the 2026 legislative session. Issues like public safety, infrastructure, and long-term funding challenges are front and center not just in Tacoma, but in cities of every size across Washington. These conversations help shape the policy agenda we bring to Olympia and ensure Tacoma’s needs are reflected in the broader voice of Washington’s cities.
Serving on the AWC board is a meaningful way to build relationships, share ideas, and advocate for the tools we need to support strong, thriving communities. I’ve also had the opportunity to participate in the Washington Collaborative Elected Leadership Institute, an award-winning program focused on building bridges across jurisdictions and political lines. Together, these efforts help make sure that Tacoma is well-represented, not only in state-level discussions, but in the kind of collaboration that leads to real, lasting solutions for the people we serve.
Get Involved: Join a Board, Commission, or Committee
If you’ve made it this far in the newsletter, congratulations—you’re clearly someone who cares deeply about Tacoma city government! Why not take the next step and consider joining one of our boards, commissions, or committees? There are multiple openings right now, and it’s a great way to contribute your voice and perspective to the decisions shaping our city. I’ve worked hard to ensure we have more senior representation on these bodies, but we’re also looking for youth, working parents, and anyone ready to serve. Wherever you are in life, Tacoma needs your voice at the table. Check out the current openings and consider applying! You can find all the information here: Committees, Boards and Commissions | City of Tacoma.
Please be sure to check out tacoma.gov for City updates and resources and, as always, please feel free to share your thoughts and concerns with me directly at john.hines@tacoma.gov. You can also call me at (253) 312-5620 if you have questions.
I invite you to tune in to the City Council’s Study Session or Council meetings every week on Tuesdays via TV Tacoma or Zoom. Access information is available at City Council Meetings | City of Tacoma.
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