The Puyallup City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, consent agenda approvals, first readings of two ordinances, and council reports. All votes were unanimous (7-0) unless noted. The meeting adjourned at 8:43 PM.
5a – First Reading: Ordinance to Amend Title 3 (MFTE Minor Code Cleanup) Planning Manager Katie Baker explained the ordinance removes remnant references to a 20-year multifamily tax exemption that were inadvertently left in the code after the 2023 expansion. Councilmember Smolko asked about affordability data (none currently) and expressed caution about potential weakening of requirements. The ordinance passed first reading 7-0.
5b – First Reading: Ordinance to Amend Title 20 (Middle Housing) Planning Manager Baker presented the state mandate to allow at least six types of middle housing in all residential zones. The city must exclude no more than 25% of lots. Two options were presented for the Lahar prohibition area: a quarter-mile reduction (excluding 24% of RS lots) or a half-mile reduction (excluding 13% of RS lots). The Planning Commission had recommended eliminating the prohibition entirely. Council debated balancing Lahar risk (1 in 10 chance in 75 years per USGS) with housing needs. Mayor Witting argued for a planning/education approach over zoning restrictions, citing a study showing ample evacuation time (150–360 minutes for Lahar arrival). Councilmember Kastama advocated for moderate density on main arterials, citing past emergency drills and concerns about assisted living facilities. Councilmember Smolko raised concerns about anti-displacement protections, infrastructure, and speculative land acquisition. Deputy Mayor Johnson and Councilmember Gilliam favored the 13% option with allowance for one ADU in the prohibition area. A motion to adopt the 13% map with one ADU allowance passed 7-0. The ordinance will return for second reading on April 28, 2026.
5c – Design Contract for Valley Avenue NW Overlay Phase 3 (pulled from consent) Councilmember Smolko asked Public Works Director Ken Davies if the overlay includes pedestrian/bicycle safety improvements. Davies confirmed ADA-compliant ramps and upgraded pedestrian push buttons at signal intersections. The contract with David Evans and Associates was approved 7-0.
Good evening. I'd like to welcome everybody out to our council meeting tonight. Will everyone please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Under God, indivisible for all. Thank you. Will the clerk please call the roll? Councilmember King? Present. Councilmember Gilliam? Present. Councilmember Castman. Present. Councilmember Smoker. Present. Councilmember Adler. Present. Deputy Mayor Johnson. Present. Mayor Whitting. Present. We generally like to uh notice when we have young people in our audience. And I see a few young people out there. We love to have them get started at an early age because we need good leaders, and if they get started at that age, then they'll be good public servants later on. So we thank you for bringing them along and and uh hope they enjoy our meeting tonight. Good luck with that. Uh the uh is there a motion to approve our agenda tonight? Motion to approve. Second. It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Motion passes. Uh we'd is there a motion to approve our the minutes of February 24th, 2026. So moved. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Motion approved. Okay, we'll move on to presentations and proclamations, and this is always a fun part of the meeting. Our first, we've got three on the docket for this evening. Uh the first is is our Pierce College Appreciation Week Proclamation. And I will read same. And whereas Pierce College Puyallop has been a vital institution of higher learning in our community, providing accessible, innovative, and high-quality education to students of all backgrounds, and whereas Pierce College was originally founded in 1967 as Clover Park Community College and later became Pierce College District 11, serving students across multiple campuses in Pierce County. And whereas recognizing the need for expanded access to higher education in East Pierce County, local leaders, including former Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Frank Buster Brulette, as well as Marcus Gaspar and Dan Grimm, two dedicated state legislators and advocates for education, championed the establishment of a new campus in Puallop. Whereas in 1987, Pierce College secured a permanent site in Puallop, and in 1989, the Pierce College Puallop campus officially opened its doors, beginning with modular classrooms and a vision for future growth. And whereas Pierce College Puallop was recognized by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical College in 1999 as the state's 34th community and technical college and the second college in Pierce County District 11. And whereas since its founding, Pierce College Puallop has grown into a thriving educational institution, offering associates degrees, professional technical programs, and university transfer opportunities while maintaining a steadfast commitment to student success and workforce development. And whereas Pierce College Pualif has been nationally recognized for its excellence in education, including being named a top 10 finalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellency in both 2021 and 2023, demonstrating its leadership in student achievement and equity, and whereas Pierce College Puala continues to serve as a cornerstone of local higher education and workforce training by strengthening the local economy and enriching the lives of its students and alumni through partnerships with local businesses, government, and community organizations.