Government
Contact Information:
6200 Southcenter Blvd.
Tukwila, WA 98188
Phone: 206 433-1850
Boards, Commissions and Committees
The City is assisted in its operations in several areas by nine boards and commissions. Members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Residents of the City serve an important function by volunteering their time and expertise as members.
The City of Tukwila values diverse perspectives and life experiences, and welcomes applications from people who will help us consistently demonstrate the values of equity, respect, and partnership. The City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans. Individuals interested in joining our team must be committed to racial, social, and economic equality for all people in our community.
Arts Commission
Membership: 5-7 members, student representative/4-year term
Board Type: Advisory
Liaison: Parks and Recreation Department Representative
Major duties: Advise City officials on arts matters, encourage community participation in the arts, promote art projects. Advise the Mayor on expenditure of arts-related budget appropriations.
Appointed by Mayor, Confirmed by Council – Ord. 2428
Members
- Pat Bako
- Sheila Coppola
- Pinky Estell
- Verna Seal
- Cynthia Chesak
- Kamla Kakaria
- Shawn Belyea
- Angeline Peralta (Student Representative)
To learn more about the arts in our community, please visit our Public Arts Program page.
Civil Service Commission
Membership: 3 member/6-year term
Board Type: Independent
Liaison: Human Resources Representative
Major duties: Provide the manner in which civil service (all police personnel) examinations, appointments, promotions, transfers, demotions, reinstatements, suspensions and discharges are made. Decide appeals from suspensions or terminations.
Appointed by Mayor – Ord. 2528
Members
- Tom Morris
- Brennan Wilson
- Tim Collins
Community Oriented Policing Citizen’s Advisory Board
Membership: 8 members, student representative/4-year term
Board Type: Advisory
Liaison: Police Chief
Major duties: Advise and make recommendations via the Chief of Police on issues concerning public safety and police services within the City. Enhance police-community relations. For more information, view the Community-Oriented Policing page.
Appointed by Mayor, Confirmed by Council – Ord. 2529
Members
- Rachel MacDonald (Resident)
- Christine Neuffer (Business/Resident)
- John Lindsay (Resident)
- Katrina Dohn (Resident)
- Dulce Zamora (Resident)
- Jan Bolerjack (Business)
- Roger Arnold (Resident)
- Scott Whitbeck (School District)
- VACANT (Student Representative)
Equity And Social Justice Commission
Membership: 9 members, student representative/3 year-term
Board Type: Advisory
Liaison: Administrative Services Department Representative
Major duties: Advise city officials of opportunities to promote understanding that accepts, celebrates and appreciates diversity in the community and to facilitate increased understanding and awareness of social justice and human rights.
Appointed by Mayor, Confirmed by Council – Ord. 2530
Members
- Jovita McConnell (City Council)
- Maryan Abdow (Education)
- Lina Stinson-Ali (Community)
- LaTricia Kinlow (City Employee)
- Kathy Hougardy (Education/Community)
- Joe Duffie (Community)
- Fane Katoa (City Employee)
- Aaron Draganov (Education)
- Kristin Schwabe-Fry (Community)
- VACANT (Student Representative)
Human Services Advisory Board
Membership: 7 members / 1-3 year term
Board Type: Advisory
Liaison: Human Services Program Coordinator
Major duties: The Human Services Advisory Board advises the Mayor and City Council on the status of human service needs and programs in the city. The Board assists in monitoring and assessing the need for human services in Tukwila; provides recommendations for prioritizing human service needs; and recommends policies and programs for funding.
Appointed by Mayor, Confirmed by Council – Ord. 2531
Members
- Terra Straight (Health Community)
- Julie Herdt (School District)
- VACANT (Resident)
- Marilyn Westman (Resident)
- Fatumo Farah (Resident)
- VACANT (Business)
- Jan Bolerjack (Faith-Based)
Library Advisory Board
Membership: 5-7 members, student representative/2-year term
Board Type: Advisory
Liaison: Parks and Recreation Department Representative
Major duties: Advise City officials on library services in the City, promote library services and activities, promote library gift giving.
Appointed by Mayor, Confirmed by Council – Ord. 2532
Members
- Robin Boland (Resident)
- Steve Miller (Resident)
- Marie Parrish (Resident)
- Geraldine Ventura (Resident)
- Crystal Lyons (Resident)
- Verna Seal (Resident)
- Cynthia Chesak (Resident)
- Angelica Gonzalez Martinez (Student Representative)
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Membership: 8 members/1-year term
Board Type: Advisory
Liaison: Mayor’s Office Representative
Major duties: Provide recommendations to Mayor and Council regarding the levying and application of Hotel/Motel tax collections.
Appointed by Council, Res. 1381
Members
- Mohamed Abdi, Council President (Elected Official)
- Miesa Berry, Homewood Suites (Bus Collecting Tax)
- Jim Davis, Doubletree Guest Suites (Bus Collecting Tax)
- VACANT, (Bus Collecting Tax)
- Ben Oliver, Starfire Sports (Funded by Tax)
- Jean Thompson, Seattle Chocolates (Funded by Tax)
- Brian Jones (Funded by Tax)
Park Commission
Membership: 5-7 members, student representative/3-year term
Board Type: Advisory
Liaison: Parks and Recreation Department Representative
Major duties: Advise City officials regarding the acquisition, development, expansion and operation of parks and recreational facilities and programs.
Appointed by Mayor, Confirmed by Council, Ord. 2533
Members
- Sean Albert (Community)
- Robby Snow (Community)
- Kathleen Gantz (Community)
- Gina Bernhardt Nielsen (Community)
- Joe Camacho (Community)
- VACANT (Community)
- Teo Hunter (Community)
- Ella Thorng (Student Representative)
Planning Commission
Membership: 7 members/4-year term
Board Type: Advisory
Liaison: Department of Community Development Director
Major duties: To hear and make recommendations or decisions on comprehensive planning, zoning, subdivision and land use permits. Sits as Board of Architectural Review to provide design review of proposed development plans.
Appointed by Mayor, Confirmed by Council – Ord. 2534
Members
- Louise Strander (Resident)
- Ann Durant (Resident)
- Martin Probst (Business)
- Alexander Kaehler (Resident)
- Jacob Halverson (Resident)
- Dung Jane Ho (Resident)
- Richard McLeland Wieser (Resident)