Puyallup City Council Regular Meeting – December 9, 2025

The Puyallup City Council met at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in Council Chambers. The meeting included citizen comments, public hearings on a downtown development agreement and the six-year Transportation Improvement Plan, second readings of four ordinances, a presentation on the Bradley Lake Park playground replacement, and a debate over the downtown gateway arches project. The meeting adjourned at 10:11 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda (7-0).
• Authorized a contract with MIG, Inc. for the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update.
• Authorized a contract with MIG, Inc. for final design and engineering of the Downtown Puyallup Wayfinding Signage Plan Project (Item 2C moved to Other Business at Councilmember Witting's request).
• Authorized an Interagency Agreement with the Administrative Office of the Courts for the Therapeutic Court Program.
• Authorized an Interagency Agreement with the Administrative Office of the Courts to reimburse interpreter service costs.
• Authorized an Interagency Agreement to provide jail services for the Town of Steilacoom and cities of Bonney Lake, Sumner, Milton, Fircrest, Orting, Lakewood, and Federal Way.
• Approved a professional services agreement with Mackenzie architects for pre-design work on the city jail and downtown police substation remodel.
• Authorized a contract with Motorola Solutions for a Jail Management System.
• Accepted a grant from the Administrative Office of the Courts to support the Post Conviction Alternative to Incarceration program.
• Authorized a Memorandum of Understanding between Our Rescue and the Puyallup Police Department for the donation of one Magnet Forensics Training Annual Pass.
• Approved amendments to leases for City Hall commercial spaces.
• The consent agenda passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Hopkins (District 1) urged the council to proactively acquire parking lots to avoid adverse impacts on downtown businesses, recalling past disruptions from Sound Transit parking.
• Steve Aldridge expressed dissatisfaction with the comprehensive plan's critical areas options, noting a 200-foot setback was approved despite Planning Commission pushback. He questioned the need for change and cited confusion about setbacks applying to ditches versus wetlands.
• Brandon Simmons (Schooley Foundation) reported on philanthropic activities including a Grinch Run with over 100 runners, providing food to thousands of families, and planning a car giveaway. He expressed a desire to include the Grinch Run in the parade weekend.
• Kim Field (All Things Fun Sports) praised the council's commitment to community, highlighted toy drives and a Christmas Eve car giveaway, and proposed making the Grinch Run a two-day event with the city during the parade weekend.
• Kathleen Macleod criticized the council, stating that several members had earned the title of "city council Scrooges of 2025" for spending city funds on a jail and a festival street despite voter opposition, and for not heeding public input.
• Chris Chisholm (Puyallup Voters for Integrity) raised concerns about the jail renovation costs compared to more cost-effective alternatives like using Pierce County jail. He also criticized the consent agenda process and the mayor's handling of citizen comments.
• Andrelyn Izquierdo (human rights activist, District 2) highlighted racial influences on modern-day human trafficking, forced labor, and forced marriage, especially affecting Puerto Ricans and Hispanics, and urged the council to support preventive measures.
• Joe Stinson (condo owner) expressed concerns about downtown parking, calculating that 240 new apartment units with 0.7 parking spaces per unit will leave many without spots and increase street parking congestion, potentially harming downtown amenities.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – Development Agreement for 204 4th St SW (Bell Site): City Manager Steve Kirkelie presented a 5-story, 100-unit market-rate multifamily residential building with ground-floor parking for about 70 vehicles (0.7 stalls per unit). Public benefits include replacing a century-old water main (extended 280 feet, estimated value $417,000). The 0.7 parking requirement is a strategic move ahead of a state mandate reducing parking minimums to zero within a half-mile of the Sounder station by 2029. Public speakers suggested alternative parking solutions (e.g., converting the vacant former Starbucks property, elevating parking at the fairgrounds, extending time limits). Council discussion noted state-level mandates and the city's efforts to secure parking (800 Sound Transit spaces available weekends, 50 dedicated senior parking spaces). The resolution passed 7-0.
• Public Hearing – 2026-2031 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP): City Engineer Hans Hunger presented the TIP, an aspirational plan with 64 projects averaging $17 million annually, but realistically funded at $6–9 million per year from local revenues and grants. Categories include non-motorized paths, intersection improvements, and road maintenance. The plan distinguishes baseline projects (expected within 20 years) from mitigation projects for anticipated traffic impacts. Council discussed Shaw Road ($80 million, relying on federal grants) and traffic from unincorporated Pierce County. The resolution passed 7-0.
• Bradley Lake Park Playground Replacement Project: Parks Director Cody Geddes proposed replacing the 20-year-old playground with inclusive surfacing, new equipment (inclusive merry-go-round, net climber), and relocated swings. The city has allocated $500,000 and will apply for an RCO Local Parks Grant. Council expressed strong support, emphasizing safe pedestrian connectivity and inclusive surfacing. The resolution authorizing the grant application passed 7-0.
• Informational Presentation – Drone as First Responder (DFR) Program: Police Chief Scott Engle and Captain Jason Visnaw presented the DFR program, which uses docked drones for rapid response. A proof-of-concept over 25 hours responded to 29 calls, with drones first on scene 82% of the time and officers canceled on 45% of calls. Benefits include officer safety, de-escalation, and efficiency. Initial drone station locations proposed at City Hall and South Hill. The program is expected to be managed internally to control costs. No vote was taken.
• Gateway Arches Project (Item 2C, moved from Consent Agenda): Councilmember Witting questioned the project's priority given rising costs, suggesting LTAC funds could be used for other tourism-related projects like the WSU Aspen Institute or a Riverwalk Trail attraction. Public Affairs Officer Eric Johnson clarified the council had allocated $525,000 in LTAC funds in 2024 for final design, with total construction costs estimated at up to $2 million. After debate, the motion to authorize the contract with MIG, Inc. passed 4-3 (Adler, Door, Witting opposed; Johnson, Gilliam, King, Kastama in favor).

Key Outcomes

• Approved the agenda (7-0).
• Approved the consent agenda as amended (7-0).
• Approved the development agreement for the Bell Property (204 4th St SW) (7-0).
• Approved the 2026-2031 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (7-0).
• Approved second reading of the ordinance to extend interim zoning controls for middle housing (5-2; Adler and Door opposed).
• Approved second reading of the franchise agreement for Forged Fiber 37, LLC (7-0).
• Approved second reading of the 2025 routine budget adjustments (7-0).
• Approved second reading of the parking time-restrictions ordinance for 208 W. Main and 214 W. Main (7-0).
• Approved the resolution authorizing a grant application for the Bradley Lake Park Playground Replacement Project (7-0).
• Approved the contract with MIG, Inc. for final design and engineering of the Downtown Gateway Arches Project (4-3).
• Received an informational presentation on the Drone as First Responder Program; no action taken.
• The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 6, 2026.