Puyallup City Council Regular Meeting - March 10, 2026

The Puyallup City Council met on March 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call (all members present), approval of the agenda, and approval of minutes from the February 3 and 4 Council Retreats (each motion passed 7-0). Proclamations were read declaring March as American Red Cross Month and Women's History Month. The Council then heard public comments, approved a consent agenda (with one item moved to separate discussion), discussed several major agenda items, and passed multiple motions related to federal opportunity zones, zoning code updates, traffic impact fees, and a sidewalk construction contract. The meeting concluded with reports and an executive session.

Presentations and Proclamations

• Mayor Witting read a proclamation declaring March 2026 as American Red Cross Month. Larry Blake, Red Cross executive liaison, accepted and described his 10 years of experience, highlighting community support during December flooding in Washington.
• Mayor Witting read a proclamation declaring March as Women's History Month, recognizing over 150 female city employees and nearly 2,000 female small business owners. Representatives from several women-owned businesses accepted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Penny Thorpe (District 3) urged Council to adopt a diversity, equity, and inclusion resolution or ordinance, stating vulnerable populations need better support.
• Kathleen McLeod (neighbor of Thorpe) also requested a DEI resolution, emphasizing equity versus equality.
• Becky Condra (President of Tapestry Singers, Secretary of Arts Downtown) reported a benefit concert for the Puyallup Food Bank raised $2,462 and 363 pounds of food.
• Ruth Anderson (District 2) highlighted three Women's History Month topics: an upcoming "Tea with Abigail" event, the Ladies of the GAR's role at Meeker Mansion, and local sisters Calla and Grace Layton who served in WWI.
• Andy Anderson (District 2) gave a historical account of Colonel Knox moving cannons from Fort Ticonderoga, the British evacuation of Boston, and promoted the Freedom Plane exhibition in Seattle.
• Andrelyn Izquierdo supported the Women's History Month proclamation, noting achievements such as the first Black and Asian American Vice President and first woman Treasury Secretary.
• Dave Churchman praised Puyallup police and the FBI for investigating death threats against a Planning Commissioner, calling the threats "bogus" and a "sham."
• Arthur West discussed Sunshine Week, public disclosure, and cited his receipt of 146 pages of police investigation records showing the death threats were fabricated.
• Eric Showacy (District 2) compared King George III to modern political issues, advocated for the No Kings movement on March 28, and listed grievances against the current administration.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4b through 4i were approved unanimously (7-0) as a consent agenda: Replacement of a Corrections Transport vehicle; 2026 Annual Service Agreement with Washington State Fair Association; Donation from Arts Downtown for Library Display Case Project; Supplement agreement with BHC Consultants for Candlewood Pump Station; Change order with Avidex Industries for Pavilion AV Upgrades; Contract with Valley Defenders for indigent defense; Accounts payable, payroll, and EFTs from January 2026; Services agreement with Catholic Community Services for Hotel Project.
• Item 4a (contract with Calli Denny Construction for 7th Avenue SW Sidewalks) was pulled for separate discussion and later approved (7-0).

Discussion Items

Federal Opportunity Zones Update

• Public Affairs Officer Eric Johnson and Federal Relations Consultant Jennifer Covino presented. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act created Opportunity Zones to incentivize private investment in distressed census tracts. Two eligible tracts in Puyallup were discussed: one downtown (including River Road corridor and Cornforth Campbell project) and one near Good Samaritan Hospital (including high-density zones and Meridian commercial areas). Councilmembers favored new investment over existing projects. Deputy Mayor Johnson strongly supported the second tract near the hospital, citing Good Samaritan's $500 million expansion and potential for new hotels/jobs along Meridian. Councilmember Smolko noted Opportunity Zones 2.0 is a tool requiring guardrails. After discussion, Council directed staff to apply for designation of the second tract (census tract 53053073405). Applications are due April 1 – May 1, 2026.

Phase 2 Zoning Map & Code Updates – Policy Direction

• Senior Planner Kendall Walls presented options to consolidate single-family residential zones (currently RS35, RS10, RS8, RS6, RS4). State mandates and the elimination of RS4 in Phase 1 require direction. Two options: (1) two low-density zones (simplifying to urban vs larger lot) or (2) three zones. Councilmembers debated. Deputy Mayor Johnson advocated for simplifying to RS6 citywide for equity. Councilmember Smolko favored retaining RS6 and RS10 as endpoints. Councilmember Kastama supported merging RS8 and RS10 into a hybrid. After discussion, Council directed staff to proceed with two low-density residential zones (simplifying from three current zones) and bring back specific standards.

First Reading of Ordinance – 2026 Traffic Impact Fee Study and Code Changes

• City Engineer Hans Hunger presented. Key decisions and votes:
  • Immediate increase to maximum defensible rate ($8,762): Motion by Deputy Mayor Johnson, seconded by Gilliam. Passed 7-0. Council argued growth should pay for growth and current $4,500 fee (since 2007) was too low. (Option A – gradual increase – was rejected.)
  • Annual indexing based on inflation: Motion by Deputy Mayor Johnson, seconded by Gilliam. Passed 7-0.
  • Exemption for affordable housing and early learning centers (80% reduction): Motion by Mayor Witting, seconded by Johnson. Passed 7-0. Council clarified the reduction applies only to affordable units (using existing definition), not full projects.
  • 50% premium on industrial truck trips: Motion by Councilmember Kastama, seconded by King. Passed 7-0.
  • Credit for prior land uses: Council supported a 3-year lookback (up to 5 years with City Engineer approval) for calculating new trips.
  • Reciprocal impact fees with county: Council directed staff to continue working with the county and report back.
  • Payment deferral: Council indicated that if a developer defers payment, they will pay the fee in effect at the time of payment, not lock in an earlier rate. The current practice (locking in at permit issuance if paid then) remains.
  • First reading of the ordinance (incorporating above directions): Motion by Councilmember Gilliam, seconded by Johnson. Passed 7-0. A public hearing and second reading are scheduled for the next meeting.

Contract for 7th Avenue SW Sidewalks (Item 6b)

• Deputy Mayor Johnson requested this be pulled for discussion. He supported the project (filling gaps near Sparks Stadium) and asked about extending farther south. City Engineer Hunger confirmed future utility projects may allow longer-term extension. Motion to authorize contract with Calli Denny Construction (7-0).

Informational presentation on Water Use Efficiency Plan

• City Manager Steve Kirkelie deferred this to the next meeting due to time, noting it will be presented before the public hearing.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (except 4a): Approved 7-0.
• Federal Opportunity Zone: Council directed staff to apply for designation of census tract 53053073405 (Good Samaritan Hospital area).
• Zoning Consolidation: Council directed staff to consolidate to two low-density residential zones (simplifying RS6, RS8, RS10).
• Traffic Impact Fee Ordinance (First Reading): Passed 7-0 with multiple motions: immediate rate of $8,762; annual indexing; 80% exemption for affordable housing and early learning centers; 50% industrial truck trip premium; payment deferral rules; and credit for prior land uses within 3-5 years.
• Sidewalk Contract (7th Ave SW): Authorized 7-0.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for March 24, 2026, with public hearings on water efficiency plan and traffic impact fee second reading, plus other items.
• Executive Session: Council recessed at 10:03 PM for 30 minutes to discuss agency enforcement actions; adjourned at 10:41 PM.