Puyallup City Council Regular Meeting – August 25, 2026

The Puyallup City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of consent items, a first reading of a critical areas ordinance update, resolutions on volunteer appointments and an investment policy, and a presentation on the City Clerk's Office strategic plan. Six councilmembers were present; Councilmember Kastama was excused. All votes were unanimous 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:38 PM following a 20‑minute executive session on collective bargaining.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the 2026-2028 collective bargaining agreement with the Puyallup Police Association – Support Services.
• Authorized a contract amendment with Evergreen StormH2O for the Stormwater Underground Injection Control Program.
• Approved a resolution updating the 2026 Non-Represented Employees Salary Schedule.
• Approved accounts payable, payroll, and electronic fund transfers from June 2026.
• Authorized final acceptance of the 4th Avenue SE Emergency Sewer Repair Project with R.L. Alia.
• Authorized a contract with RS Underground for the 3rd Street SE Watermain Replacement Project.
• Authorized an agreement with Ricoh USA, Inc., to purchase nine Multifunction Printers.
• Authorized a Master Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with OMNIA Partners.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dave Churchman (District 2) opposed the Memorial Flagpole Project, stating that only three of nine listed donors lived in Puyallup and that the VFW had not contributed as implied. He called the project a "disaster for someone's vanity."
• Valorie Dent (District 2) opposed the flagpole, criticizing how it was presented as a veterans' memorial. She expressed opposition to further spending on the railroad quiet zone and criticized the city for not enforcing traffic safety rules near schools.
• John Hopkins (former mayor, District 1) supported creating a viewing area with benches and planters near the flagpole. He advocated making the trail ranger position year‑round and praised collaboration among the city, police, parks, and organizations.
• Jim Detwiler (District 1) thanked the parks department for improving the Clarks Creek dog park and encouraged residents to sign up for Puyallup 101, describing it as empowering and informative.
• Jill Roeder (District 1) supported city funding for the food bank, questioned the railroad quiet zone, and expressed concerns about potential misuse of location data from ALPR (Flock) cameras, asking who decides placement and who has access to the data.
• Matthew Caras coordinated with over 70 community members. He requested public disclosure of an August 20 pedestrian incident during a concert in the park, suggested more frequent and earlier‑posted community meetings, noted confusion among skateboarders about the new skate park design and funding, and raised concerns about Flock/ALPR cameras and nationwide misconduct cases.
• Don Cottom (District 1) highlighted a historic black walnut tree planted on statehood day (November 11, 1889), inviting residents to see it.

Discussion Items

• Critical Areas Ordinance Update (First Reading) – Planning Manager Chris Beale presented updates to PMC Chapter 21.06, including revised definitions, mitigation standards, integration of stormwater rules, and adoption of volcanic hazard maps. The August 25 draft does NOT include proposed amendments on riparian management zones or stream buffers; those will be studied further with expert review. Councilmember Smolko asked if any provision reduces environmental protection; staff responded that the update clarifies existing practices and does not roll back protections. The ordinance received first reading approval (6-0).
• Resolution Confirming Volunteer Appointments – City Clerk Dan Vessels introduced appointments: Jodi Erickson to the Senior Advisory Board, and Alden Erickson and John Hopkins to the Arts & Culture Commission. The resolution passed (6-0).
• Resolution Establishing an Investment Policy – Finance Director Barbara Lopez presented a policy allowing investment beyond the Local Government Investment Pool (current yield ~3.75%). The policy prioritizes safety, liquidity, and yield, and permits U.S. Treasuries, government‑sponsored entities, and high‑rated corporate notes. Stocks, money market mutual funds, and cryptocurrency are prohibited. Council supported proactive publication of investment reports and clarified that funds from multiple City funds may be pooled for investment. The resolution passed (6-0).
• City Clerk's Office Strategic Plan – City Clerk Vessels reported a 92% achievement rate on the 2024‑2025 plan. Key accomplishments: digitizing business licenses, using AI to reduce meeting‑minutes processing time by an estimated 7–10 hours per meeting, upgrading records management, and earning professional certifications. Business license endorsements increased 68% (90% approved within 14 days); special event permits were processed in 39 days (down from 78); 134 special business licenses were issued with an average turnaround of 2.3 days. Challenges include digitizing historical records (some from the 1960s) and meeting ADA compliance by the April 2028 federal deadline. Council member King noted that over 200 boxes of records (≈125 linear yards) remain to be digitized. Deputy Mayor Johnson suggested exploring dedicated funding for accelerated digitization to improve citywide efficiency.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items and resolutions passed unanimously (6-0).
• First reading of the Critical Areas Ordinance (Item 4a) approved (6-0); second reading scheduled for September 3.
• The City Clerk's Office will launch an online public records satisfaction survey and continue digitization efforts, with potential council support for funding.
• City Manager Kirkelie reported the Washington State Department of Transportation is finalizing the Memorial Flagpole foundation design; $57,030 in donations have been received.
• Upcoming agenda (September 3): second reading of critical areas ordinance, five‑year Hazard Mitigation Plan presentation, discussion of City key policy, and Road Safety Action Plan presentation.
• Executive session on collective bargaining was held from 8:18 p.m. to 8:38 p.m.; no action followed.