Puyallup City Council Regular Meeting – August 26, 2025

The Puyallup City Council met on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers. All councilmembers were present except Councilmember Gilliam (excused). The meeting included proclamations, a public hearing, approval of a street vacation ordinance, budget adjustments, and a skatepark design, along with extensive citizen comments on the Comprehensive Plan and other matters.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (6-0): Agenda; minutes from June 17, July 1, July 15 (study session), and July 22, 2025.
• Consent Agenda approved (6-0): 11 routine items including acceptance of grants (SparkGood from Walmart, WA State Criminal Justice Training Commission, WA Dept. of Commerce, FEMA for water tank), completion of utility improvements, demolition contracts, interlocal agreements, accounts payable, a Motorola radio contract, UV equipment purchase, and a utility relocation agreement.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kerry Yanasak (outgoing PMSA Executive Director) thanked the Council for support and announced Councilmember Door as his successor.
• Larry Leveen (Forever Green Trails) described a fund drive for Phase 5 of the Puyallup Riverwalk Trail, noting that demonstrating community support is critical for grants; past drives helped secure $1–3 million in awards.
• Robin Ordonez opposed new municipal code updates requiring 100-foot buffers on each side of creeks, stating his entire property falls within this zone and impacting existing structures; he urged staff to visit his property.
• Dave Churchman praised an AI tool for meeting summaries and raised an ethics concern about a 2026 LTAC funding request involving the Master Gardener Foundation, noting the mayor’s spouse is on its board. Mayor Kastama responded that the committee chair had been changed to avoid conflict.
• Trevor Baumgardner (Good Samaritan Hospital LPN) urged Council support for healthcare workers’ contract negotiations, emphasizing competitive wages, safe staffing, quality healthcare, and respect.
• John Hopkins thanked Council for supporting the All Along the Riverwalk event, reporting a 20% increase in attendance and vendors.
• Steve McCoy thanked Council for removing DEI language from the Comprehensive Plan, arguing it undermines individual merit.
• Jade Trever opposed the removal of indigenous language from the Comprehensive Plan and urged reconsideration.
• Marty Kiilsgaard (Planning Commission) requested a reserve list of qualified residents to fill commission vacancies, citing quorum challenges in 2024–2025.
• Heather Schiller praised Michael Brown’s heroism at camp and requested camp sign-up times be changed from midnight to 9 AM.
• Matthew Caras criticized Council for altering Comprehensive Plan language, questioned priorities on housing and equity, and demanded a revote and anti-racism statement. Mayor Kastama noted a memo was sent to all council members regarding racist attacks.
• Vicky Burk questioned the value of proclamations when citizen concerns (e.g., Comprehensive Plan changes) are ignored; she also spoke on equity.
• Matt Kyle thanked Council for park/trail improvements but expressed safety concerns about a trail segment 15 feet from his home, citing past incidents.
• Kathleen Macleod (former health educator) argued that DEI is needed to protect rights, citing women’s suffrage and equal opportunity, and criticized Council for not listening.
• Craig Detienne raised traffic safety on Stewart Avenue, deteriorating railroad crossings, and manhole issues; requested attention to infrastructure.
• Dave DeGroot (Planning Commission, speaking personally) supported Council’s restoration of “equality” in the Comprehensive Plan, arguing race-based equity policies lead to polarization.
• Paul Rometsch (District 1) supported the Riverwalk Trail missing link, noted Edgewood leveraged $15,000 in community funds for over $3 million in grants, and urged continued housing investment, citing high costs.

Discussion Items

• Street Vacation Ordinance (Public Hearing): City Engineer Hans Hunger explained the process to vacate 2nd Street SE for the Meeker Festival Street and public plaza as part of the Palindrome Communities mixed-use project on the Cornforth Campbell property. Public comment: Paul Rometsch spoke in support, noting the project would increase housing and economic opportunities (market hall, micro retail). The public hearing was opened at 7:43 PM and closed at 7:45 PM. First reading of the ordinance was approved unanimously (6-0).
• 2025 Routine Budget Adjustments Ordinance: Finance Director Barbara Lopez presented a $7.8 million adjustment covering grants, carryforward budgets, and approved contracts. First reading approved unanimously (6-0).
• Puyallup Skatepark Replacement Design: Parks & Recreation Director Cody Geddes and Grindline Skate Parks designer Brett Johnson presented a design replacing the deteriorating prefab wood skatepark with a cast-in-place concrete facility. Community input was gathered via meetings (30 attendees, 60 survey responses) and resulted in a bowl/half-pipe zone replicating a popular existing feature, plus ledges, rails, stairs, and a beginner area. Council asked about coverage (not in current scope) and regional comparison (design will be highly regarded). Motion to approve design passed 6-0.
• City Manager’s Report: Steve Kirkelie outlined the September 9 meeting agenda: a College Appreciation Week proclamation, railroad quiet zone study presentation, and presentation of RFPs for city-sponsored events (Thursday Night Market, Farmers Market, Santa Parade, Meeker Days).
• Council Reports:
  • Councilmember Adler wished students well on back-to-school and commemorated Labor Day, emphasizing union unity (“an injury to one is an injury to all”).
  • Councilmember Door reported Nashville Nights was a great success (vendors sold out, extended hours).
  • Councilmember Johnson praised the summer concert series, requested more dance space, and cautioned against political posturing during election season.
  • Deputy Mayor King invited attendees to the Washington State Fair opening and encouraged food bank donations on Friday, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM.
• Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kastama read Councilmember Gilliam’s remarks on back-to-school, Kerry Yanasak’s downtown impact, and highlighted the new police station ribbon-cutting (saved $30 million by remodeling former Comcast building; downtown station becomes substation). He thanked everyone for civil dialogue and emphasized listening and learning from diverse opinions.

Key Outcomes

• All motions passed unanimously (6-0) except where noted (Councilmember Gilliam excused).
• Approved: Consent agenda items; first reading of the 2nd Street SE vacation ordinance; first reading of the 2025 budget adjustment ordinance; Skatepark Design.
• Directives/Next Steps: The street vacation ordinance will have a second reading; the skatepark design moves toward construction; a reserve list for Planning Commission vacancies to be considered; the September 9 meeting will feature quiet zone study and event RFPs.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM.