Pierce County Council approves consent agenda, names new members to refugee and immigrant affairs commission

Pierce County Council on Tuesday approved its consent agenda, including three appointments to the Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Affairs and a tourism promotion representative, in a unanimous 7-0 roll call vote.

The council moved and seconded the consent motion at the start of the Feb. 17 meeting and then heard brief introductions from the appointees. Christian (Chris) Lopez Moreno said he has lived in Tacoma for more than a quarter century and is “very excited to be now, in the commission and, with humbleness to learn and to serve my to represent my my community” after being appointed. Alexander Burlakoff said he moved to Pierce County three years ago from Ukraine and is focused on workforce development. Syed Bukhari described arriving from Pakistan in 2022 and expressed a desire to help immigrants learn and integrate. Ingram Druding introduced himself as representing three hotels for Hollander Hospitality in Puyallup (Best Western Plus, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, and Fairfield by Marriott).

Alice, who identified herself as representing District 6 and chair of the Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Affairs, thanked the council for the appointments, noted the commission’s extension “for 7 more years,” and promoted a Lunar New Year celebration Feb. 28 at the Tacoma Dome featuring Khmer cultural performances: “it’s going to be really spectacular.”

The clerk’s roll call recorded each council member voting aye. The meeting record shows the motion was moved from the vice chair and seconded by the chair; the clerk then announced “7 ayes, 0 nays,” and the chair said the motion was adopted.

The consent agenda included one set of minutes and three appointment resolutions. The council did not remove any items for separate discussion during the meeting.

The council adjourned after a brief agenda and reminded members of a committee-of-the-whole meeting scheduled the following morning at 9:30 a.m.