Puyallup City Council Regular Meeting – September 15, 2026

The Puyallup City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 333 S. Meridian, with all seven councilmembers present. The meeting included proclamations, citizen comments, approval of the consent agenda, a public hearing and first reading of a street vacation ordinance near Puyallup High School, first reading of a Design Review Board ordinance, and department reports. The meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m.

Presentations and Proclamations

• Mayor Witting read a proclamation honoring former Councilmember Robin Farris, who passed away on August 27, 2026. The tribute noted her 20-year U.S. Navy career, service as one of the first female naval officers aboard the USS Blue Ridge, retirement as lieutenant commander, eight years representing District One on the City Council, and her pride in Team Puyallup. Current and former elected officials reflected on her legacy; Councilmember Kastama shared a story Farris had asked him to tell about her grandfather and the Meeker Mansion, and Deputy Mayor Johnson suggested naming a future promenade in her honor.
• Mayor Witting proclaimed the week of September 21–26, 2026 as Washington State University Puyallup Research and Extension Center Appreciation Week. Todd Murray, director of the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center, accepted the proclamation and noted the center's programs, including the Stormwater Center and Master Gardener Program, and the upcoming WSU Day at the Washington State Fair on September 26, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizen comments on 7th Street NW: Lydia Mayer, Aubrey Jones, Noah Reyes, Cris Luis Antonio, Noor Albermany, LeighAnn Mahaffie, Joseph Romero, and Sandi Monahan supported permanently closing or keeping 7th Street NW closed, citing student safety, previous accidents, pedestrian volumes, and safe campus access. Mahaffie said she had been struck by a vehicle near the school; Monahan, Puyallup High School cross-country coach, said the closed road provides warm-up space for 79 athletes. Christy Sparks-Galan, a PHS staff member and 1990 graduate, also supported permanent closure, citing near misses. Jim Jenkins opposed permanent closure and suggested closing the street only during school periods, while Archer Grimes, Jessica Degner, Mitzi McMahan, and Rebecca Singer expressed opposition or concern that the closure had shifted traffic, speeding, parking, and litter into surrounding neighborhoods. Singer urged a balanced approach addressing both student and neighborhood safety.
• Other citizen comments: Paul Wicklander, speaking for the Home Addition Neighbor Group, discussed a 23-page technical supplement submitted for the Critical Areas Ordinance update. Dave Sunich described Puyallup High School's Good Neighbor Action Plan. Valorie Dent presented results of a community survey she conducted across all three council districts, with approximately 4,500 surveys distributed, including 300 mailed. Nadine Weinrich encouraged coordination among the School District, City, and Police Department on traffic safety. Andrelyn Izquierdo raised concerns about extremist groups and threats.
• Public hearing testimony on the street vacation: The public hearing was opened at 8:15 p.m. and closed at 8:28 p.m. Val Dent opposed permanently closing 7th Street; Mitzi McMahan said the closure shifted traffic and pickup activity into neighborhoods and urged coordinated mitigation; Jim Jenkins opposed the permanent vacation. Lydia Mayer, Joseph Romero, and Aubrey Jones supported permanent closure, citing student safety and prior incidents. Romero, a Puyallup School Board member and past president, said he had witnessed about 10 students hit during his terms and cited Tacoma's street-vacation practice. Archer Grimes opposed the closure and said neighborhood engagement had been inadequate.

Consent Calendar

• Authorized a contract with Herrera Environmental Consultants, Inc. for landfill regulatory consulting services.
• Authorized change orders for the Van Lierop Park Playground Installation Project and accepted the project as complete.
• Approved accounts payable, payroll, and electronic fund transfers from July 2026.
• Authorized an Interlocal Agreement with Pierce Conservation District for natural resource and ecological conservation projects.
• The consent agenda was approved 7-0.

Discussion Items

• Public hearing and first reading – W Main/7th Street NW vacation near Puyallup High School: Development and Permitting Services Director Courtney Brunell and Brady Martin, executive director of construction, maintenance, and facility planning for the Puyallup School District, presented the proposed street vacation. The district petitioned to vacate a portion of W Main between 6th Street SW and 7th Street SW and all of 7th Street NW between W Main and 2nd Avenue NW. A temporary closure pilot began December 23, 2024, following a 2024 conditional use permit that added portable classrooms. Martin said the pilot improved pedestrian safety by eliminating vehicle-pedestrian conflicts between the main campus and portables and that a traffic study found no adverse impacts to traffic, travel speeds, or parking, although traffic increased on some streets such as 8th Street NW. Portables are expected to remain for 10–20 years under phased construction, with baseline construction costs estimated at $120.3 million. Brunell presented a revised mitigation package including intersection improvements, bulb-outs, crosswalks, lighting, sidewalks, half-street improvements on 8th Street NW, and wayfinding signage. Funding options included waiving approximately $375,000 in right-of-way compensation so the district could complete the full package, or requiring the district to purchase the right-of-way, which would likely delay some improvements. Mayor Witting noted that roughly 600 students cross that block during a five-minute passing period, about 120 per minute. Council discussion emphasized student safety, neighborhood impacts, coordination with the district, and the 60-day traffic management pilot proposed by Councilmember Kastama. Deputy Mayor Johnson suggested considering additional street closure measures, and the City Attorney noted that a street vacation ordinance can reduce but not add segments.
• First reading – Design Review and Historic Preservation Board ordinance: Planning Manager Chris Beale presented an ordinance amending Puyallup Municipal Code Chapter 2.29 to shift architectural design review for downtown mixed-use, commercial, and multifamily areas from the Design Review and Historic Preservation Board to an administrative review process. Beale said the change was intended to address quorum-related delays and would not change existing design standards. The board would continue to oversee historic preservation matters and would be consulted during future design-standard updates. Council discussed attendance challenges facing boards and commissions.

Reports and Announcements

• City Manager Steve Kirkelie reported that the September 22, 2026 study session would include Pierce County's regional approach to homelessness, Pierce Transit Proposition 1, and a discussion of the rural buffer zone and potential changes.
• Councilmember Gilliam recognized Deputy Chief Greg Massey of the Puyallup Police Department and announced his retirement reception at the Public Safety Building at 4:00 p.m.
• Councilmember Smolko announced she would deliver a TED Talk in Tulsa titled In the Room Where It Happens, encouraging educators to run for public office.
• Councilmember Adler thanked the public and Puyallup High School students who attended the hearing.
• Deputy Mayor Johnson clarified that his suggestion to use the Sound Transit lot was an option for further consideration and reiterated support for evaluating additional neighborhood-impact measures.
• Mayor Witting reminded councilmembers to submit budget initiatives in advance of upcoming budget study sessions so staff could review and comment.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent agenda 7-0.
• Approved first reading of the street vacation ordinance and set second reading for December 8, 2026, by a 7-0 vote.
• Approved an amendment directing City staff to work with the Puyallup School District on a 60-day traffic management pilot to redirect student pickup and drop-off activity away from residential streets, evaluate a parent waiting or cell-phone lot, provide signage, communication, and on-site traffic direction, and report back to Council; passed 7-0.
• Approved an amendment requiring the school district to provide an annual report on the Good Neighbor Action Plan; passed 7-0.
• Approved first reading of the ordinance amending PMC Chapter 2.29, Design Review and Historic Preservation Board, by a 7-0 vote.