Puyallup City Council Regular Meeting – October 21, 2025

The Puyallup City Council met on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a proclamation, citizen comments, consent agenda, public hearings on the 2026 property tax levy and mid-biennium budget adjustment, and second reading of a co-living housing ordinance. The council also heard reports from the city manager, councilmembers, and the mayor before recessing into executive session for collective bargaining.

Consent Calendar

• Authorize an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Sunnyside for limited incarceration.
• Authorize an Interagency Agreement with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission for traffic safety emphasis patrols.
• Authorize an Interagency Agreement with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission for the Pierce County Phlebotomy Program.
• Authorize a supplemental agreement with Perteet for the S Meridian; 9th Avenue SE to 15th Avenue SE Overlay project.
• Authorize annual contracts for city employee healthcare and benefits plans.
• All consent items were approved unanimously (7–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrelyn Izquierdo addressed domestic violence awareness, highlighting links to artificial intelligence, human trafficking, and illegal experimentation.
• Vera Glace expressed strong opposition to state‑mandated co‑living housing, citing concerns about community impact, increased police demands, and the rental nature of units. She urged the city to explore legal opposition to the mandate.
• Bud Metzger shared personal experiences with shared housing, supporting co‑living as a needed housing option. He also criticized comments from the previous year’s domestic violence proclamation, questioning a councilmember’s remarks.

Discussion Items

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation

Mayor Kastama read a proclamation declaring October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Jeanette Merod, the City’s Domestic Violence Victim Advocate, accepted the proclamation and thanked the council for supporting victim assistance programs.

Public Hearing – 2026 Property Tax Levy (4a)

Finance Director Barbara Lopez presented the proposed 2026 property tax levy, which includes a 1% increase ($112,187) over the 2025 levy of $11.2 million, plus new construction value and administrative refunds, resulting in an estimated levy of $11.4 million. The general levy rate would decrease from $1.08 to $1.046 per $1,000 of assessed value, a reduction of about 3%. The city’s portion of the total property tax bill is 10.4%. Lopez noted that the city has taken the 1% increase roughly half the time since 2009, and currently holds about $2.8 million in banked capacity. Councilmember Johnson moved to amend the ordinance to remove the 1% increase, citing the largest state tax increase in Washington history and inflation pressures. The amendment passed 6–1 (Councilmember Witting opposed). The council then approved first reading of the amended ordinance 7–0.

Public Hearing – 2026 Mid‑Biennium Budget Adjustment (4b)

Finance Director Lopez outlined $9.1 million in adjustments, including $222,000 in routine adjustments, $758,000 in additional allocations, $3.5 million transferred to Tier 3 funding for one‑time projects (e.g., library HVAC), and new positions (Court Clerk, Police Office Assistant, Custodian). The Tier 3 fund would have a starting balance of $6.2 million and an ending net gain of $1.2 million after allocations. The council then took separate votes:

• LTAC funding recommendations passed 5–0 (Mayor Kastama abstained; Councilmember Door recused).
• An amendment by Councilmember Door to allocate $50,000 from LTAC for a collaborative study with Washington State University on a conference facility passed 6–0 (Door recused).
• Community Grant funding recommendations passed 6–0 (Councilmember Witting recused).
• First reading of the budget adjustment ordinance passed 7–0.

Second Reading – Co‑Living Housing Ordinance (5a)

Planning Manager Katie Baker presented code amendments to implement House Bill 1998, which mandates allowing co‑living housing in zones where at least six multifamily units are permitted. She summarized zoning impacts: high in high‑density residential and mixed‑use zones, moderate in moderate‑density zones, and low in neighborhood commercial and medical zones. The Planning Commission added a requirement for private bathrooms in each sleeping unit. Council discussion included concerns about state overreach, potential benefits for affordable housing and homeownership, and the limited geographic footprint. Several councilmembers emphasized that renters are not “less than” and that diverse housing options are needed. The council approved the ordinance on second reading 7–0.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamation: October 2025 declared Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
• Property Tax Levy (amended): The 1% increase was removed; first reading of the amended ordinance passed 7–0. A resolution reflecting the amended levy will be brought forward.
• Mid‑Biennium Budget Adjustment: LTAC funding (with $50,000 WSU study amendment), Community Grant funding, and first reading of the ordinance all passed with appropriate recusals and abstentions.
• Co‑Living Housing Ordinance: Approved 7–0 on second reading.
• New Hire: Courtney Brunell introduced as Development and Permitting Services Director.
• Executive Session: Council recessed at 8:22 PM for collective bargaining (expected one hour). Meeting adjourned at 9:18 PM.
• Future Action: Second readings for the property tax levy and budget ordinances are scheduled for November 18, 2025.