OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Puyallup City Council Regular Meeting - June 2, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, June 2, 2026
BodyPuyallup, Washington
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, June 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:22:03

Transcript — Verbatim
0:47

The Puallop City Council meeting for June 2nd is called to order.

0:51

We are having a little bit of technical difficulties, and I'd like to turn a couple of moments over to our city manager to explain what's going on.

0:59

Yes, thank you, Mr.

1:00

Mayor.

1:00

I just wanted uh for the audience uh out in uh watching online.

1:05

We are having a challenge with our YouTube channel.

1:08

Uh and so you can watch it the meeting on PC TV through our website, so that is available.

1:13

It's just our YouTube channel is not available.

1:16

So we're working on that, but the meetings being recorded.

1:18

You can go to our website and just click watch meeting on PC TV and watch the meeting.

1:22

It's just not the YouTube channel at this at this point.

1:25

So thank you, Mr.

1:26

Mayor.

1:27

Okay, will you the audience please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance?

1:38

And to the Republican, which stands one nation under God.

1:43

Individual justice for all the thank you.

1:55

Councilmember Smolko.

1:58

She is delayed and should be here shortly.

2:00

Councilmember Adler.

2:02

Present.

2:03

Councilmember Castro.

2:05

Present.

2:06

Councilmember King.

2:07

Present.

2:08

Councilmember Gilliam.

2:09

Present.

2:10

Deputy Mayor Johnson.

2:11

Present.

2:12

Mayor Whitting.

2:13

Present.

2:15

And given that our we are a week and a day past Memorial Day.

2:23

I just would like to take a moment to at this first meeting after that momentous day and to remember the people that have given their lives and in our service and uh like to just take a moment of silence.

2:57

Thank you.

2:58

I I always want to be sure that we take the moments to remember those that have provided the service for us.

3:06

And just as a a matter of note, I the uh you know in World War II we lost uh a hundred thousand Americans uh in that in that war and in World War II we lost over four hundred thousand citizens, but the but the worst war of all in terms of American casualties was the Civil War, where citizens fought citizens and brothers fought brothers.

3:37

And uh in this day of polarization, I I uh just hope and pray that that we find our common interests in all that we do and and work together to to find good solutions that that serve all of our citizens and that's my hope and prayer, and I thank you for indulging me in that.

3:59

Um moving on, we've we've got an agenda to approve.

4:04

Uh do I have a motion to approve the agenda?

4:07

So moved.

4:08

Second.

4:09

All those in favor?

4:11

Aye.

4:12

Motion passes.

4:14

Uh we we now have some minutes to consider the approval of the minutes of the March 24, 2026 minutes.

4:23

Move approval.

4:24

Uh second.

4:26

All in favor?

4:27

Aye.

4:27

Aye.

4:28

Motion passes.

4:29

Approval of the March 31st, 2026 study session minutes.

4:33

Move approval.

4:34

Second.

4:35

All in favor?

4:36

Aye.

4:38

Motion passes.

4:39

Approval of the April 14th, 2026 minutes.

4:42

Move approval.

4:43

Second.

4:44

All those in favor?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety████████████████16%
Procedural██████████████14%
Arts And Culture████████████12%
Public Safety███████████11%
Zoning And Land Use██████████10%
Community Engagement███████7%
Energy Management█████5%
Zoning and Land Use█████5%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Puyallup City Council Regular Meeting - June 2, 2026

The Puyallup City Council held its regular meeting on June 2, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered consent agenda items, a traffic calming pilot program presentation, ordinances on a battery energy storage system moratorium, zoning code amendments, and Arts and Culture Commission membership changes, as well as a resolution for a state grant application. Councilmembers present: Mayor Witting, Deputy Mayor Johnson, Councilmembers Adler, Gilliam, Kastama, King, and Smolko (arrived at 6:36 PM). All votes were unanimous except where noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the agenda (6-0).
  • Approved minutes from March 24, March 31 (study session), and April 14, 2026 (all 6-0).
  • Approved consent agenda (7-0) authorizing: change order for sludge line repair; final utility relocation agreement for SR 167 extension; amendment to interagency agreement with Department of Corrections; acceptance of HUD grant for Meeker Festival Street Project; acceptance of professional development grants from Washington State Library; contract with Sierra Santa Fe, Inc. for 2026 chip seal project; supplemental agreement for pretreatment source control manual update; appointment of voting delegate for 2026 AWC Annual Meeting; acceptance of solar energy grant from WA Dept. of Commerce for Puyallup Public Library; acceptance of equipment from Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Public Comments & Testimony

18 speakers addressed the council on various topics:

  • Paul Wicklander (District 1) urged delay in adopting stream buffer mapping due to a disconnected stormwater system, citing a petition signed by 21 of 26 affected property owners.
  • Andy Anderson (District 2) gave a historical update on events leading to the Declaration of Independence.
  • Jim Jenkins (District 1) opposed the permanent closure of 7th Street near Puyallup High School, arguing it pushes traffic elsewhere and reduces safety; offered alternatives.
  • Val Dent (District 2) opposed the America 250 Flag Memorial project, stating the flagpole will be state-owned and maintained, and criticized the funding process.
  • Maria Figueroa (FEMA) reminded flood-affected residents to register for disaster assistance by June 10.
  • Andrelyn Izquierdo raised concerns about abortion rights and medical professionals' refusal to participate; called for amendments to ensure access.
  • Lee Van Levenage (District 3) criticized declining maintenance at Woodbine Cemetery since the prior caretaker retired 18 months ago, presenting photos.
  • Penni Thorpe (District 3) objected to prior insinuations that budget-focused citizens are unpatriotic regarding the flag memorial.
  • Kim Field (All Things Fun Sports) proposed designating June as Running and Walking Month and reestablishing a Daffodil Festival 5K race.
  • John Hopkins (District 1) promoted a community run event and highlighted expanding trail systems including the Puyallup-to-Tacoma link.
  • Bob Stanik raised concerns about erosion and off-road vehicle damage in Clark Creek Watershed, urging management to prevent destruction.
  • Richard Casmier (District 2) contrasted well-maintained newer sections of Woodbine Cemetery with neglected older areas.
  • Kathleen Macleod (District 3) criticized council for what she characterized as a lack of transparency and collaborative decision-making, referencing the flag memorial.
  • Mike Craven (District 3) opposed the flag memorial, demanding transparency and inclusion in the process.
  • Bud Metzger (District 3) raised concerns about pedestrian safety for children crossing Shaw Road near Shaw Road Elementary, criticized council spending, and called for civility.
  • Samantha Miller (District 29) promoted a mutual aid event on June 14.
  • An additional speaker (Bob Stanik again) offered free volunteer work for watershed management.

Discussion Items

  • Traffic Calming Pilot Program (Item 4a): Development Engineering Manager Ken Cook presented a two-phase proactive program: Phase 1 uses radar speed signs (stealth then display) and targeted enforcement; Phase 2 includes physical measures like speed humps and traffic circles. Nine potential locations identified. Police Chief Scott Engle provided enforcement statistics, noting a rise in reckless driving complaints. Council expressed strong support. Deputy Mayor Johnson linked reckless driving to state pursuit restrictions, advocated for robust enforcement. Councilmember Gilliam requested adding infrastructure improvements to spread traffic. Councilmember Adler suggested future funding increases and consideration of automated enforcement cameras like Milton's. The pilot will be evaluated in 5-6 months.

  • Ordinance: BESS Moratorium (Item 5a): Director Courtney Brunell proposed a one-year moratorium on commercial/utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) due to lack of code. Residential systems exempt. Council supported, citing a battery fire at a local school. Motion to waive first reading and adopt passed 7-0.

  • Ordinance: Zoning Code Amendments (Item 5b): Associate Planner Rachael Brown presented housekeeping amendments to Title 20, including auto-oriented uses in RMX and CCX zones. Planning Commission recommended allowing auto uses only in CCX, not RMX. Council debated: Deputy Mayor Johnson and Mayor Witting favored allowing auto uses in RMX (north of River Road) and excluding them from CCX (South Hill). Councilmember King abstained. Motion to approve first reading with that amendment passed 6-0. Second reading scheduled June 16.

  • Ordinance: Arts and Culture Commission Membership (Item 5c): Public Affairs Officer Eric Johnson noted quorum challenges; commission met only 4 of 11 times in 2024, 3 of 6 in 2025, and none in 2026 due to vacancies. Chair Bradley Pugh urged reduction from 7 to 5 members to enable work. Councilmember Gilliam raised concern about reduced representation, proposed a sunset clause to review in one year. Motion to approve first reading with review after one year passed 6-0.

  • Resolution: BRIC Grant Applicant Agent (Item 6a): City Engineer Hans Hunger presented a resolution to designate an agent for a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant (approx. $4.5 million) for seismic retrofit of a second water tank on 39th Street. Approved 5-0 (Deputy Mayor Johnson not present for vote).

Key Outcomes

  • Votes: All consent items and minutes approved unanimously (7-0 or 6-0). BESS moratorium adopted 7-0. Zoning ordinance first reading approved 6-0 (King abstained). Arts commission ordinance first reading approved 6-0 with one-year review. Resolution for BRIC grant approved 5-0 (Johnson absent).
  • Directives: Staff to implement traffic calming pilot and report back in 5-6 months; staff to return with BESS regulatory recommendations within one year; second reading of zoning ordinance on June 16; Arts commission to recruit members and be reviewed in one year.
  • Next Meeting: City Manager noted next council meeting agenda includes neighborhood commercial zone parameters and a railroad quiet zone project presentation.

City Manager's Report

  • Previewed next meeting: discussion on neighborhood commercial zone parameters and railroad quiet zone project.

Council Reports

  • Councilmember Gilliam highlighted CERT training and recognized Emergency Manager Kristen Hoffman for receiving a community award for leading the world's largest lahar evacuation drill.
  • Councilmember Adler reflected on Memorial Day events and acknowledged Pride Month, emphasizing support for struggling youth.
  • Councilmember King reported that the America 250 Flag Memorial fundraising surpassed $25,000 in one week, and promoted the SeeClickFix app for reporting infrastructure issues.
  • Deputy Mayor Johnson praised the farmers market and community character.
  • Councilmember Smolko had no report.

Meeting Transcript

The Puallop City Council meeting for June 2nd is called to order. We are having a little bit of technical difficulties, and I'd like to turn a couple of moments over to our city manager to explain what's going on. Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted uh for the audience uh out in uh watching online. We are having a challenge with our YouTube channel. Uh and so you can watch it the meeting on PC TV through our website, so that is available. It's just our YouTube channel is not available. So we're working on that, but the meetings being recorded. You can go to our website and just click watch meeting on PC TV and watch the meeting. It's just not the YouTube channel at this at this point. So thank you, Mr. Mayor. Okay, will you the audience please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? And to the Republican, which stands one nation under God. Individual justice for all the thank you. Councilmember Smolko. She is delayed and should be here shortly. Councilmember Adler. Present. Councilmember Castro. Present. Councilmember King. Present. Councilmember Gilliam. Present. Deputy Mayor Johnson. Present. Mayor Whitting. Present. And given that our we are a week and a day past Memorial Day. I just would like to take a moment to at this first meeting after that momentous day and to remember the people that have given their lives and in our service and uh like to just take a moment of silence. Thank you. I I always want to be sure that we take the moments to remember those that have provided the service for us. And just as a a matter of note, I the uh you know in World War II we lost uh a hundred thousand Americans uh in that in that war and in World War II we lost over four hundred thousand citizens, but the but the worst war of all in terms of American casualties was the Civil War, where citizens fought citizens and brothers fought brothers. And uh in this day of polarization, I I uh just hope and pray that that we find our common interests in all that we do and and work together to to find good solutions that that serve all of our citizens and that's my hope and prayer, and I thank you for indulging me in that. Um moving on, we've we've got an agenda to approve. Uh do I have a motion to approve the agenda? So moved. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Motion passes. Uh we we now have some minutes to consider the approval of the minutes of the March 24, 2026 minutes. Move approval. Uh second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Motion passes.

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