City Council Regular Meeting - January 6, 2026

The Puyallup City Council held its regular meeting on January 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included the swearing-in of councilmembers, election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the 2026-2027 term, two proclamations, public comments, consent agenda approval, first readings of two ordinances, a grant discussion, and reports from city staff and councilmembers. The meeting adjourned at 8:53 PM.

Consent Calendar

• 4.a Accept a 2025-2027 Biennial Stormwater Capacity Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.
• 4.b Accept a donation from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to upgrade Library computer stations.
• 4.c Accept a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration to create a Road Safety Action Plan.
• 4.e Authorize a contract with Rotator Creative for the Puyallup Always in Season Tourism Promotion Campaign.
• 4.f Approve accounts payable, payroll, and electronic fund transfers from November 2025. All consent items were approved unanimously (7-0) after item 4.d was removed for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Hopkins (former mayor, District 1) congratulated the council, clarified trail advocacy history, and expressed concern about the city's reliance on grants for infrastructure funding. He urged strategic economic growth, infill development, and low-cost safety measures like the "paint and post technique" for streets.
• Paul Rometsch (not present in transcript but in minutes; likely speaker name mismatch) highlighted reliance on grants, need for economic growth, and advocated for policy changes to enhance productivity and street safety.
• Tim Mellema thanked outgoing Mayor Kastama for a safety-first approach, praised improvements over the past decade, and stressed that public safety must remain the top priority. He criticized past community divisions and thanked the current community outreach officer.
• Andrelyn Izquierdo (Pierce County District 2) celebrated the official recognition of MLK Day in Puyallup, shared personal experiences of discrimination, and emphasized the need to continue addressing racism.

Discussion Items

• Oaths of Office and Leadership Elections: City Clerk Dan Vessels administered oaths to Councilmembers Kastama, King, and Smolko for four-year terms. Councilmember Witting was sworn in as Mayor for 2026-2027. A roll-call vote elected Councilmember Johnson as Deputy Mayor (4-3) over Councilmember Adler. Johnson took the oath, adding "as guided by the wisdom of God."
• Proclamations:
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Proclamation (January 19, 2026) was read by Mayor Witting and Councilmember Adler. Dr. JMarie Johnson-Kola and Linda Corella accepted on behalf of the MLK Guiding Coalition, announcing a city-wide celebration at Praise Chapel with over 400 expected attendees.
  • Scouting America Proclamation was read by Mayor Witting, highlighting scouting values. Scouts in attendance were recognized.
• Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Plan Ordinance (First Reading): Senior Planner Kendall Wals presented the updated four-year plan (2025-2029) required by state law. The plan targets employers with 100+ full-time employees starting work between 6-9 AM. Councilmembers expressed concerns about the program's effectiveness, lack of performance metrics, and potential burden on employers. Deputy Mayor Johnson questioned whether the program actually reduces congestion or pollution. Councilmember Kastama requested performance measures. The first reading passed 6-1, with Councilmember Johnson voting against.
• Solid Waste Billing Ordinance (First Reading): Performance Management Analyst Tulika Makharia proposed changing the billing cycle from paying two months in advance to paying for past and current month services. This aligns with neighboring cities and reduces upfront costs for new customers. The change was recommended by Murray's Disposal Company, which accepted a temporary cash-flow deficit. The first reading passed 7-0.
• Deer Creek Streamflow Restoration and Culvert Replacement Grant (Item 4.d removed): City Engineer Hans Hunger explained the $8.7 million grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology will fund replacement of four culverts on 27th Street and 12th Street in two construction phases. The project aims to restore groundwater recharge and improve fish passage. Two culverts require emergency repairs. Deputy Mayor Johnson praised the efforts of Stormwater Engineer Paul Marrinan and Grants Coordinator Jessica Johnson. The grant was accepted unanimously (7-0).
• City Manager's Report: City Manager Steve Kirkelie outlined the January 27 agenda: a public hearing on the Good Samaritan Hospital development agreement, second readings of both ordinances, a Development and Permitting Services work plan presentation, and a traffic impact fee study introduction by the City Engineer.
• Council and Mayor Reports: Councilmembers welcomed new members, thanked scouts, and reflected on civic engagement. Mayor Witting shared personal scouting history, proposed initiatives including mayor meetups, a citizens bureau, district meetings, and a citizen recognition award. He also promoted the Braver Angels organization and the MLK celebration on January 19.

Key Outcomes

• Mayor 2026-2027: Councilmember Witting elected (acclamation).
• Deputy Mayor 2026-2027: Councilmember Johnson elected (4-3; Adler, Gilliam, Smolko opposed).
• Consent Agenda (without 4.d): Approved 7-0.
• Commute Trip Reduction Plan Ordinance (First Reading): Approved 6-1 (Johnson dissenting).
• Solid Waste Billing Ordinance (First Reading): Approved 7-0.
• Deer Creek Grant Acceptance: Approved 7-0.
• Next Steps: Second readings of both ordinances and a public hearing on the Good Samaritan Hospital development agreement scheduled for January 27, 2026.

Note: The meeting minutes incorrectly list the date as January 6, 2025; the correct date per the agenda and transcript is January 6, 2026.