Puyallup City Council Regular Meeting - July 22, 2025

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.

Consent Calendar

• Interagency Agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation for construction of Stage 2b of SR 167
• Acceptance of a grant from the Puyallup River Watershed Council for the Library Children's Area
• Contract with Mead and Hunt for the Puyallup Pretreatment Source Control Program Update
• Contract with Becker Blacktop, LLC for the Inter Ave Roadway Resurfacing project
• Acceptance of the Minnich Property Demolition project with Rivers Edge as complete
• Contract with Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. for licensing of Geographic Information System Software
• 2025-2027 City of Puyallup and Puyallup Police Association Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Approval of accounts payable, payroll, and electronic fund transfers from May 2025
• Contract with RH2 Engineering, Inc. for the Valley Sewer Trunk Upgrade project

All items were approved unanimously 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

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:

• Lindsey Topping-Schultz expressed concern that inclusion and accessibility require explicit language.
• Dave Wetzel criticized the removal of tribal history, DEI, and climate change language, attributing changes to partisan politics.
• Shannon Bennett opposed removing DEI, noting Puyallup's history of Japanese American internment and tribal displacement.
• Michael Yoder warned that aligning with federal executive orders over state law could risk funding.
• Jeff Watson stated that state law mandates equity, not equality, and that the amendments expose the city to legal risk.
• David DeGroot (Planning Commission member) supported the amendments, arguing equity is a fluid term that applies to some but not all.

Public Hearing on Interim Middle Housing Zoning

• Paul Rometsch expressed support for addressing the housing crisis but criticized the restrictive zoning map, stating it limits effective infrastructure use and pushes development to the city edges, exacerbating traffic.
• Aaron Hollenberg (Master Builders Association) argued the ordinance violates state law by singling out middle housing with different regulations, urging the Council to address concerns before finalizing.

Discussion Items

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.

Key Outcomes

• Comprehensive Plan Ordinance (Second Reading): Passed 4-3 (Johnson, King, Gilliam, Kastama in favor; Adler, Witting, Door opposed). The ordinance adopts the Puyallup 2044 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update as amended.
• Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0.
• Resolution Confirming Appointments to Citizen Volunteer Boards and Commissions: Approved 7-0.
• Public Hearing on Interim Middle Housing Zoning: Held with no action taken; comments will inform the permanent ordinance.
• School District Road Closure: The Council expressed general support for a permanent closure contingent on cohesive design, consistent closure (no periodic reopening), and comprehensive community engagement including students and residents. The district will submit a street vacation petition and hold a community meeting in late August.
• City Manager's Report: Noted no new business; next regular meeting scheduled for August 26, 2025.