The Puyallup City Council met on July 22, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting featured extensive public comment on proposed amendments to the 2044 Comprehensive Plan, a public hearing on interim middle housing zoning, a vote on the Comprehensive Plan ordinance, and an informational presentation from the Puyallup School District on a road closure near Puyallup High School. The meeting adjourned at 10:57 PM.
All items were approved unanimously 7-0.
Citizen Comments (Comprehensive Plan Amendments) Dozens of community members spoke during the public comment period, the vast majority opposing the proposed amendments to the 2044 Comprehensive Plan that would remove language related to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), references to the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854, tribal history, and climate change. Speakers urged the Council to retain the original language, citing state law requirements (RCW 36.70A.070), the risk of losing state funding, and the need to acknowledge historical truths and support all community members. A few speakers supported the amendments, arguing that equity undermines constitutional equal rights and that race-neutral policies are preferable. Specifically:
Public Hearing on Interim Middle Housing Zoning
Second Reading – Ordinance Adopting the Puyallup 2044 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update Senior Planner Kendall Wals presented the ordinance, which includes a series of amendments focusing on zoning, housing, and development. Council discussion highlighted the contentious nature of amendments related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the second reading, seconded by Deputy Mayor King. After debate, the motion passed 4-3 on a roll call vote: Councilmembers Johnson, King, Gilliam, and Mayor Kastama voted aye; Councilmembers Adler, Witting, and Door voted nay. Mayor Kastama explained his support, emphasizing the use of race-neutral language and the need to avoid legal liability from terms like "since time immemorial." Councilmember Adler opposed, citing potential litigation from the state and the loss of community trust. Councilmember Door stated the amendments do not represent the community and are not good stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
Public Hearing on Interim Zoning Controls for Middle Housing Planning Manager Katie Baker reviewed the interim ordinance adopted in June to comply with House Bill 1110. The ordinance allows two middle housing units per lot in residential zones, up to four near transit or with affordable units, while restricting development in critical areas and volcanic hazard zones. No action was taken; the hearing was held to gather public input for the permanent ordinance.
Informational Presentation – Puyallup School District Road Closure Project Dr. Vincent Pecchia, Brian Devereaux, and transportation consultant Marnie Heffron presented on the temporary closure of 7th Street NW near Puyallup High School, implemented in December 2024 to improve pedestrian safety. Data collected before and after the closure showed a significant reduction in vehicle-student conflicts, with only minor increases in traffic on nearby streets (e.g., 2nd Avenue and 8th Street saw increases of 100-200 vehicles per hour). Speeds remained low, and intersection operations remained at passing grades. The district proposes making the closure permanent through a street vacation process, with plans for community engagement in late August 2025 and physical improvements to create a cohesive campus plaza. Councilmembers expressed conditional support, emphasizing the need for permanent closure with aesthetic integration (not temporary barriers), a clear policy against reopening for events, and robust public engagement that includes student input.
State and Federal Government Relations Update Public Affairs Officer Eric Johnson introduced federal and state lobbyists. Jen Covino (federal) reported that the Meeker Street Improvement Project received $850,000 in the House THUD spending bill, but the Police Designated Crisis Responder Program was not included in the Senate version due to oversubscription. She noted uncertainties around federal executive orders on DEI and the new budget reconciliation law ("One Big Beautiful Bill Act") which includes tax credits for affordable housing and changes to Medicaid. State lobbyists Luke Esser and Jim Hedrick discussed the 2025 legislative session outcomes: a $77.9 billion biennial budget with $6 billion in cuts and $9 billion in new revenue; public safety funding via HB 2015 (local law enforcement grants and a new local option sales tax); new housing laws preempting local parking minimums and requiring transit-oriented development; a 6-cent gas tax increase; and a projected future budget shortfall due to federal Medicaid cuts and economic uncertainty.
Good evening, everyone. This is the Pulp City Council meeting for July 22nd. It's now called to order. Would you everyone please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? Yes. I want to thank everyone for being here this evening. It's a beautiful evening. With that, I'd like to have the clerk please call the role. Councilmember Dort. Present. Councilmember Adler. Present. Councilmember Johnson. Present. Councilmember Whitting. Present. Councilmember Gilliam. Present. Deputy Mayor King. Present. Mayor Casima. Present. At this time, we usually, it's a tradition here in PewP that we scan the audience for students who are happen to be in the Pelp School District or other school districts. Young students who are here. And I think we have someone right down here. And if you would like to go ahead and stand up, uh introduce yourself, that would be wonderful. Hello, my name is Owen I coach for Linda Elementary. Excellent. Owen, thank you for being here. We acknowledge the youth because uh frankly they are the future leaders of this community. We like to prove to be good examples for them, so we appreciate them and they're welcome at any time. So anyway, you can go ahead if you happen to have a child or a grandchild. Feel free to bring them to the city council meetings. With that, we're now going to move on to item number one, approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda? Motion to approve. Second. Moved and seconded. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Excellent. We'll go on to number two, consideration of minutes. 2A is the approval of the June 3rd, 2025 minutes. Do I have a motion to approve? Some move. Second. Excellent. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Okay.