Puyallup City Council Regular Meeting - March 24, 2026

The Puyallup City Council met on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included presentations, public comments, a public hearing, and discussions on infrastructure projects, downtown revitalization, emergency preparedness, and community celebrations. All votes during the meeting were unanimous (7-0).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the meeting agenda and minutes from February 10, 2026.
• Authorized a contract with HCON, Inc. for the South Fruitland Avenue Sanitary Sewer Extension project.
• Authorized a contract with R.L. Alia for the 4th Street NW Storm Upgrades Stage N2a project.
• Accepted completion of the Crystal Ridge Electrical Service Meter Upgrade Project with MPH Services, Inc.
• Authorized a contract with David Evans and Associates, Inc. for the Deer Creek Streamflow Restoration and Culvert Replacement Project.
• Accepted a Washington Association of Sheriff's & Police Chief's Traffic Safety Grant for traffic safety equipment.
• Authorized purchase of a 2026 John Deere 320P Backhoe Loader for Public Works.
• Authorized a contract with Pierce County for Elodea cutting.
• Authorized a Supplemental Agreement with RH2 Engineering for the Valley Sewer Trunk Upgrade Project.
• Accepted a Washington State Military Department Emergency Management Division 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant.
• Approved a resolution updating the City's 2026 Non-Represented Employees Salary Schedule.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Penni Thorpe urged the Council to uphold values of diversity and inclusion through budgetary actions or resolutions.
• Val Dent expressed appreciation for responsiveness to traffic concerns and cited data showing significant traffic issues in her neighborhood (2,283 tickets in 10 years, 396 accidents, one fatality on Pioneer). She urged traffic cameras and speed enforcement tools.
• Tim Mellema addressed the criminal investigation into alleged threats against a former Planning Commission Chair, criticizing those who assumed the threats were real before the investigation concluded.
• John Palmer (Puyallup Main Street Association) highlighted the B&O tax donation program, noting it leverages $25,000 city funds into $100,000 for downtown improvements such as facade grants, murals, graffiti removal, and holiday decorations. He also commented on parklet allocation, urging balanced distribution between Meridian and off-Meridian locations.
• Eric Showacy criticized the investigation into the alleged threats, arguing that the former Planning Commission Chair (Kenya Jones Lowell) was not treated fairly and that the city failed to protect her.
• Andrelyn Izquierdo urged legislative amendments to help victims of online sexual exploitation and harassment report more effectively.
• Chris Chisholm expressed support for the B&O tax credit program and commented on the police investigation.
• Tracy Taylor (current Planning Commission Chair) stated the matter regarding the former chair was handled poorly and that a disservice was done by questioning the member rather than offering help.

Discussion Items

• Water Use Efficiency Plan (Public Hearing): Public Works Director Ken Davies presented an overview of the City's water conservation program, including state requirements for distribution system leakage (maintained below 10%), customer metering, conservation targets, and additional measures (low-flow fixtures, usage history on bills, computerized irrigation). The public hearing opened at 7:07 PM and closed with no comments. Council expressed support.
• Donation to Puyallup Main Street Association: City Manager Steve Kirkelie proposed a $100,000 B&O tax credit contribution (net cost ~$25,000). Council discussed the program's history, potential future increases, and encouraging private-sector participation. Councilmember King and Finance Director Barbara Lopez noted that $100,000 is the current maximum available through the state program. The motion passed 7-0.
• Volcanic Lahar Impact Report: Emergency Management Manager Kirstin Hoffmann presented a study on potential impacts of a no-notice lahar from Mount Rainier, based on 2022 USGS data. Key findings: approximately 41% of Puyallup's population (17,400 residents) and 44% of the workforce live or work in the lahar zone; 81% of public administration workers are in the zone. The report assessed infrastructure risks and highlighted that critical communications and IT backups are located outside the hazard zone. Council discussed evacuation planning, public education, multilingual alerts, and accessibility. An upcoming regional evacuation exercise on April 23, 2026, will involve over 50,000 students and staff.
• America 250 Celebration & 2026 World Cup Update: Public Affairs Officer Eric Johnson presented plans for a July 4, 2026 celebration at Pioneer Park (4-7 PM) to be organized by the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce at a cost of $81,398 from Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) funds. LTAC committee opposed using LTAC funds due to limited tourism impact (event primarily local). Council debated event scope, duration, and coordination with other groups (farmers market, VFW, cruise groups). Concerns were raised about the short timeline (101 days left). Council approved the funding 7-0 after a motion to call the question.
• Allocation of Additional Parklets: City Clerk Dan Vessels reported that LTAC committee had no objections to using LTAC funds for three additional parklets. Ten applications were received for ten parklets (five on Meridian, five off-Meridian). Council directed that up to six parklets be allocated on Meridian, with any unallocated Meridian parklets available elsewhere in the permitted area. Motion passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0.
• Donation to Main Street Association: Approved $100,000 contribution 7-0.
• America 250 Celebration Funding: Approved $81,398 to Chamber 7-0.
• Parklet Allocation: Motion to allocate up to six on Meridian passed 7-0.
• Councilmember Kastama acknowledged the passing of longtime community member Mury Swanson.
• Councilmember Adler reported on a National League of Cities conference in Washington, D.C., noting that Congresswoman Strickland secured $850,000 for the Meeker Street project and supported a $2.3 million request for the Fruitland sidewalk improvement project.
• Councilmember King echoed the federal funding report and encouraged all councilmembers to attend future National League of Cities conferences.
• Mayor Witting announced his resignation from the Unified Regional Authority on Homelessness due to time constraints and concerns about the group's direction.
• The meeting adjourned at 9:32 PM after an executive session (8:30-9:04 PM) to evaluate complaints against a public officer.