Pierce County Council reconsiders, adopts O2025-575s after correcting exhibit; amendment draws debate over whale protection language

Pierce County Council members voted 4–3 on Jan. 6 to adopt Ordinance O2025-575s as amended, approving a correction to the ordinance that replaces Exhibit A with the substitute version the Community Development Committee had approved.

Council member Robert Denson moved to reconsider the ordinance so the council could adopt Council Amendment No. 1, which he said corrected a staff error that had left the wrong substitute in the packet the council voted on Dec. 16. Council member Krueger explained the amendment “would replace Exhibit A … with a substituted version which was adopted by the Community Development Committee” to correct the inadvertent inclusion of the wrong document.

Supporters, including Denson, said the amendment restores the committee’s intent and ensures the sustainability plan reflects committee work. Opponents criticized a provision in the substitute that directs county collaboration on whale protection and recovery. Council member Morel said adding whale-protection language to county policy risks creating unfunded expectations and could impact port operations, arguing the work belongs to agencies such as NOAA and existing partners. “I just do not see the necessity of putting it in policy at this time,” Morel said.

Council member Denson and others countered that including whale-related work in the sustainability plan would ensure reporting, collaboration with tribes and local partners, and opportunities to balance conservation with economic interests. Denson noted that the plan itself does not have regulatory authority and that any regulatory recommendations would return to the council for review.

After brief public comment (none on the ordinance), the council adopted Council Amendment No. 1 by voice vote and then approved the ordinance as amended on a roll call: Council member Yambay — Aye; Council member Denson — Aye; Council member Morel — Nay; Council member Herrera — Nay; Council member Krueger — Nay; Council member Ayala — Aye; Council member Jani Hitchens — Aye. The chair announced the motion adopted with four ayes and three nays.

Council members said the amendment was intended to align the final ordinance with the committee-approved document. Council member Krueger described the change as a technical correction that substitutes the committee’s version of Exhibit A for the version that had been included in council materials in error.

The ordinance as amended will be processed according to county rules; council members did not attach a separate fiscal note to the amendment itself, and staff said no additional fiscal impact was anticipated for the amendment beyond the work already covered in the larger sustainability-plan effort. The council received an amended budget filing from East Pierce Fire and Rescue and adjourned the meeting.