Puyallup City Council Regular Meeting – December 2, 2025

The Puyallup City Council met on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included routine approvals, a public hearing on extending interim middle housing zoning, first readings of ordinances, discussion of a major hospital development agreement, and reports from the City Manager and Council. All votes were 7-0 unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• Accept the Inter Ave Rehabilitation project with Becker Blacktop LLC as complete – Unanimously approved.
• Authorize a contract with HCON, Inc., for the 7th Avenue SE Sidewalk Improvement project – Moved to item 6b at the request of Councilmember Johnson for discussion.
• Amendments to Interlocal Agreement providing municipal court services to the City of Milton and Professional Services Agreement with Claire Kintanar – Approved.
• Approve accounts payable, payroll, and electronic fund transfers from October 2025 – Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Caleb Lemoine (District 2) – Praised the City’s Traffic & Engineering department for rejecting a developer’s alternative methods request for the Fruitwood Overlook project, citing community safety concerns. He emphasized that the department prioritized listening to residents over developer shortcuts.
• Andrelyn Izquierdo (Pierce County District 2) – Highlighted discrepancies between reported job growth statistics (19,800 net payroll jobs added in Washington over 12 months, per the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee) and the actual employment challenges residents face. She urged the Council to increase fair-paying jobs, improve reporting mechanisms for labor trafficking, and audit abusive work environments.
• Chris Chisholm (District 2, treasurer/founder of Puyallup Voters for Integrity) – Criticized the Council for tax increases passed over the past year, particularly for the police station project. He presented a cost comparison: the 2023 ballot proposition (which failed) was advertised at $56 million including a jail, but the current police station project is $114 million. He requested a detailed cost breakdown on the city website.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – Extension of Interim Zoning Controls to Accommodate Middle Housing – Planning Manager Katie Baker presented a six-month extension of the interim zoning ordinance (originally adopted in June 2025) to allow more time for the Planning Commission to finalize middle housing code revisions consistent with HB 1110. The extension is needed because the lahar zone buffer study is on a separate track, and Councilmember Witting urged moving forward quickly due to concerns from the Master Builders Association. The public hearing was opened and closed with no citizens speaking. Vote: 5-2 (Councilmembers Adler and Door opposed).
• First Reading – Ordinance Granting a Franchise Agreement to Forged Fiber 37, LLC – City Attorney Joe Beck explained that Forged Fiber 37, an AT&T subsidiary, acquired Lumen Technologies’ fiber business and needs a franchise to operate in city rights-of-way. AT&T plans to upgrade the network, increasing competition among providers (Ziply, Comcast, Astound, Zayo). Councilmembers expressed support for enhanced competition. Approved 7-0.
• First Reading – Ordinance Pertaining to 2025 Routine Budget Adjustments – Finance Director Barbara Lopez presented an ordinance modifying the 2025 budget to include new grants, capital project funding, carry-forwards, and technical corrections. Approved 7-0.
• First Reading – Ordinance on Parking Time-Restrictions at City-Owned Parcels (208 and 214 W. Main) – City Manager Steve Kirkelie explained that the lots (one gravel, one paved) are being used by Sound Transit commuters, filling up by 6-7 AM. The ordinance would restrict public parking until 8:30 AM, while downtown business permit holders can park from 6:30 AM. Enforcement will be by the parking enforcement officer (with a $35 fine) and police as needed. The City plans to educate drivers before issuing citations. Approved 7-0.
• 2026 City Council Meeting Calendar – City Manager Kirkelie presented the calendar, which includes approximately 22-24 regular meetings per year, quarterly study sessions, and two-day budget study sessions. A retreat date (likely February) is to be determined. Approved 7-0.
• Authorize Contract with HCON, Inc. for the 7th Avenue SE Sidewalk Improvement Project – City Engineer Hans Hunger reported that the project, long planned, received 11 bids with the low bid 20% below the engineer’s estimate of $3.3 million. The project will install over 2,700 linear feet of sidewalk on the south side of 7th Avenue from 10th Street to 21st Street, including enhanced crossings with rapid-flashing beacons and conduit for future lighting. Work is expected to begin in February 2026. Council praised the project’s safety benefits for students walking to Spinning Elementary. Approved 7-0.
• Informational Presentation – Draft Development Agreement for MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital – Senior Planner Chris Beale presented an overview of a 20-year phased campus expansion, based on the master plan approved June 10, 2025. Phase 1 includes a new patient care tower with 160 licensed inpatient beds, 30 observation beds, and a shell floor for up to 40 more beds; parking garages; and an expanded utility plant. Future phases include medical office buildings, a central support tower, and a third-street expansion. The development agreement would formalize a customized permit process, frontage improvement phasing, and ambulance bay enhancements (phase 1: overflow lane; phase 2: doubling the bay footprint). Council expressed strong support, noting the $430 million investment, job creation, and regional healthcare benefits. No action was taken; a public hearing is expected in Q1 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Agenda (items 3a, 3c, 3d) – 7-0 (3b moved to 6b).
• Approved October 21, 2025 minutes – 7-0.
• Approved extension of interim middle housing zoning controls – 5-2 (Adler, Door opposed).
• Approved first reading: franchise agreement with Forged Fiber 37, LLC – 7-0.
• Approved first reading: 2025 routine budget adjustments – 7-0.
• Approved first reading: parking time-restrictions on city-owned parcels – 7-0.
• Approved 2026 City Council meeting calendar – 7-0.
• Approved contract with HCON, Inc. for 7th Avenue SE sidewalk project – 7-0.
• Next meeting: December 9, 2025, at 6:30 PM, featuring a public hearing on the Bell property development agreement, the 6-year Transportation Improvement Plan, Bradley Lake Park playground replacement, and a drone-as-first-responder presentation.