Puyallup City Council Regular Meeting - July 14, 2026

The Puyallup City Council held its regular meeting on July 14, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered the approval of minutes, a consent agenda, a first reading of an urban agriculture ordinance, a debated proposal for a GoodRoots Northwest food distribution locker, a biennial budget forecast, and the library strategic plan. Public comments focused on food insecurity, data center concerns, hospital worker conditions, and traffic safety. Key votes included postponing the GoodRoots locker funding indefinitely (4-3), approving the first reading of the urban agriculture ordinance (7-0), and later reopening the community grants window (7-0).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda and minutes from May 5, May 12, and June 2, 2026, all by 7-0 votes.
• Approved the consent agenda en bloc (7-0), including acceptance of the Emergency Sludge Line Repair project, a Washington State Department of Commerce grant for 4th Street NW Storm Upgrades Stage N-2b, the Puyallup Library Teen Zone, a Kiwanis grant for the Library Imagination Station, a Professional Development Grant from the Washington State Library, the Final Utility Relocation Agreement for SR 167 Extension, acceptance of the 23rd Avenue SW Sidewalks project ($1,365,674.24), and approval of membership and budget for South Sound Housing Affordability Partners (SSHA3P).

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Hopkins (District 1) expressed full support for GoodRoots Northwest and promoted the “All Along the Riverwalk” event on August 1st.
• Jim Jenkins (District 1) discussed the 7th Street closure and urged council members to meet with him to understand the issue.
• Rose Coway (long-time resident) advocated for preserving fertile agricultural land and supported urban agriculture code changes.
• Valorie Dent (District 2) described a community survey effort to increase awareness of council representation, noting only 0.93% response rate from previous surveys.
• Zachary Sanders expressed support for GoodRoots Northwest.
• Jim Detwiler (District 1) raised safety concerns about electric-assisted personal mobility devices on mixed-use paths and suggested speed limits and etiquette campaigns.
• Michael Cravens (District 3) voiced concerns about additional data centers, citing noise and light pollution.
• Penni Thorpe (District 3) advocated for a 12–18 month moratorium on zoning changes for higher-tier data centers, detailing water usage and environmental impacts.
• Kathleen MacLeod (District 3) criticized council’s procedural conduct and urged a moratorium on data center zoning changes.
• Libbie Bristol (District 2) raised concerns about vibration, property values, and limited job creation from large data centers.
• Andrelyn Izquierdo (Pierce County District 2) discussed homelessness and the need for emergency housing available outside regular hours.
• Bree Morrell (nurse at Good Samaritan) highlighted staffing challenges and unsafe patient loads, urging MultiCare to provide safe staffing.
• Alexis Pineda (housekeeper at Good Samaritan) called for a living wage comparable to other MultiCare facilities.
• Bud Metzger (District 3) criticized council’s financial priorities, citing underfunding of street maintenance and domestic violence programs.
• Eric Showacy (District 2) expressed concerns about potential fraud in the America 250 flagpole project and questioned the flag’s location.
• Peggy Sloan (nurse) noted staffing shortages at Good Samaritan Hospital and urged council to intervene with MultiCare.
• Jennifer Newman (District 2, dietary aid at Good Samaritan) demanded a living wage, noting pay disparities with Tacoma.
• Brad opposed the city’s Flock camera system, calling it a privacy violation.
• Samantha Miller (out of district) supported hospital workers and opposed data centers.
• Paula Lucera (District 1, Good Samaritan employee) highlighted pay disparities with Tacoma General, noting her 26-year tenure and the hospital’s high cardiac caseload.

Discussion Items

• Urban Agriculture Ordinance (First Reading): Code Compliance Officer Shane Pieren presented amendments to allow urban agriculture on vacant lots (owner must reside in city limits, incidental use) and allow two standard-size goats or sheep per half acre on properties one acre or larger. The planning commission recommended approval unanimously. Council discussed animal density ratios; Deputy Mayor Johnson requested clarification on small animal ratios before second reading. The first reading passed 7-0.
• GoodRoots Northwest Food Distribution Locker: Stacey Crnich, CEO of GoodRoots Northwest, proposed installing a food locker at Grayland Park/Memorial Center, requesting an $80,000 initial investment from Tier 3 funds. She explained the program serves working families, students, and vulnerable adults, with 600 orders fulfilled monthly in Puyallup. Council debated the proposal: Councilmember Adler moved to authorize $80,000 pending an MOU; Councilmember Kastama moved to postpone indefinitely, arguing the organization should go through the city’s community grants process like other partners. The motion to postpone indefinitely passed 4-3 (Adler, Smolko, Witting opposed). Later, Mayor Witting moved to reopen the community grant application window for one week to allow GoodRoots to apply; this passed 7-0.
• 2027-2028 Biennial Budget Forecast: Finance Director Barbara Lopez presented a balanced budget with $64.5 million (2027) and $65.8 million (2028) in core revenues. Public Works Director Ken Davies highlighted that street maintenance funding ($1.1 million annually) is insufficient, with an estimated need of $3.2–$3.3 million to preserve the network. Staff recommended allocating a percentage of Tier 3 funds to street repair. Council discussed the Transportation Benefit District’s impact, per-capita metrics, and comparisons with other Pierce County cities. No decisions were made; next steps include budget study sessions in October.
• Puyallup Public Library Strategic Plan: Library Director Nicole Erickson presented highlights: voted Best Library of 2025, 1,353 programs with 46,918 participants, upgrades to visitor counting software, and challenges with digital content costs (Overdrive monopoly) and an aging catalog system (Horizon). A major capital need is HVAC replacement ($4 million, with a potential $2 million state grant). Council commended her leadership and discussed the independent library board appointment process.

Key Outcomes

• GoodRoots Locker Funding: Motion to authorize $80,000 was replaced by a motion to postpone indefinitely, which passed 4-3. Later, a motion to reopen the community grants application window for one week passed 7-0, allowing GoodRoots to apply through the standard process.
• Urban Agriculture Ordinance: First reading approved 7-0; second reading scheduled for July 21, 2026.
• Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0.
• Community Grants Window: Extended by one week (7-0) to accept new applications.
• Executive Session: Council recessed at 10:01 PM for 45 minutes to discuss potential litigation; no action followed.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 10:42 PM.