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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

City Council Regular Meeting – October 6, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, October 6, 2026

BodyPuyallup, Washington

SessionCity Council & Commissions

DateTuesday, October 6, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:50:47

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:32

Thank you.

0:33

Will the clerk please call the roll?

Speaker 2

0:37

Councilmember Gillen?

Speaker 1

0:39

Present.

Speaker 2

0:39

Councilmember Castomar.

Speaker 1

0:41

Present.

Speaker 2

0:41

Councilmember Smoke.

Speaker 3

0:43

Present.

Speaker 2

0:43

Councilmember Adler.

Speaker 3

0:44

Present.

Speaker 2

0:45

Deputy Mayor Johnson.

0:46

Present.

0:47

Councilmember King.

0:48

Excused.

0:49

Mayor Whitting.

Speaker 1

0:50

Present.

0:56

Do we have a motion to approve the agenda?

Speaker 4

0:58

So moved.

Speaker 1

0:59

Second.

1:00

All those in favor?

1:02

Aye.

1:02

Aye.

1:04

And motion passes.

1:07

Consideration of the minutes.

1:09

Do I have a motion to approve the minutes of August 25th, 2026?

Speaker 5

1:16

Motion to approve?

1:17

Second.

Speaker 1

1:18

All those in favor?

1:20

Aye.

1:21

Motion passes.

1:23

Now we'll like a motion to approve the minutes of September 1st, 2026.

1:30

So moved.

1:31

Second.

1:32

All those in favor?

1:34

Aye.

1:35

Motion passes.

1:37

Okay, so we're right move right into presentations and proclamations.

1:41

And our first uh presentation tonight, our proclamation tonight regards domestic violence.

1:49

Uh hopefully everybody's got

Unassigned speaker

1:51

their

Speaker 1

1:52

purple address for the occasion tonight.

1:56

Uh so I will read the proclamation.

1:58

The proclamation will be accepted by

Unassigned speaker

2:00

our

Speaker 1

2:01

domestic violence victims advocate, Jeanette Morad, uh, and we'd like you to say a few words when the time comes.

2:10

Whereas domestic violence is a public health crisis that involves a pattern of behavior used by one person one individual to establish and maintain power and control over another.

2:20

And whereas domestic violence shatters lives, robs children of their innocence, and can destroy the life of any citizen regardless of their age, race, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender.

2:33

And whereas the Puallop City Council applauds, encourages and supports the ongoing robust and compassionate effort by police prosecutors' office and volunteer agencies to support victims of domestic violence, and whereas the City of Puallop is part of its commitment to end domestic violence, employs a domestic violence victims advocate to support victims during the criminal process to educate youth about healthy relationships and access vital resources and assist in the prosecution of cases.

3:04

And whereas the City of Puallop urges all citizens to reaffirm their commitment to domestic violence in any form and to any degree is not acceptable and is preventable.

3:15

And whereas the City of Puala recognizes the need for community awareness around domestic violence and therefore supports the efforts of the Purple Light Nights program, which remembers the victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence, supports those who have survived domestic violence, and provides hope for those still living with abuse.

3:37

Now, therefore, I Mayor Ned Whitting on behalf of the City Council hereby declare the month of October 2026 as domestic violence awareness month

Unassigned speaker

3:47

in

Speaker 1

3:47

the City of Puallop and urge all citizens to agree that domestic violence is not acceptable.

3:53

In witness whereof I have set my hand at cause the seal of the city to be affixed this sixth day of October 2026.

4:01

And I'd now like to invite Jeanette to come forward and receive this and then say a few words.

Speaker 6

5:03

So instead, they were able to create a really nice banner on the stage.

5:07

So if you haven't walked through Pewallop in the evening, I I encourage you to do so.

5:11

It's really, really uh beautiful thing.

5:14

Uh Purple Light Nights is a global awareness campaign created to bring attention to the devastating impact of domestic violence in our community.

5:23

Throughout October, communities shine purple lights to remember those who have lost their lives to domestic violence, to support survivors, and to inspire hope for those who are still experiencing abuse.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Budget Equity Analysis████████████12%

Engineering And Infrastructure██████████10%

Libraries And Community Engagement█████████9%

Active Transportation█████████9%

Public Safety███████7%

Parks and Recreation██████6%

Public Engagement█████5%

Affordable Housing█████5%

Procedural████4%

Summary of Proceedings

City Council Regular Meeting – October 6, 2026

The Puyallup City Council met on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. to consider a consent agenda, ordinances, resolutions, and several major discussion items including the Riverwalk Trail Phase V and the Gateway Arches project. The meeting also featured two proclamations and the recognition of a retiring 37-year city employee.

Consent Calendar

Approved the August 25, 2026 and September 1, 2026 minutes unanimously.
Approved consent agenda items 4a–4d and 4f–4j (routine approvals, agreements, contracts) by voice vote, after removing item 4e (Gateway Arches design contract amendment) for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

Valerie Dent (District 2) expressed support for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, sharing personal experience as a survivor, and also noted October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Jim Jenkins (District 1) presented a schematic for connecting 7th Street NW to 7th Street SW, argued against permanent street closure, and urged the city to reject the school district's plan.
John Hopkins (former mayor) urged council to support the Washington Wildlife Recreation Coalition's full $150M ask to avoid losing the Fife trail link; also supported a “soft trail” alternative for the Riverwalk missing link.
Andrew Brasser (District 2) requested safer pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure near 31st Avenue SW and Fruitland Avenue, referencing the upcoming Pierce County Pipeline Trail and the Puyallup Moves Active Transportation Plan.
Angelina Squirdo praised the purple lights program for domestic violence victims and called for improved 24/7 hotline services; also urged more effective conflict resolution practices.
Bud Metzger (District 3) criticized the city's reduction of health care benefits for non-union employees, arguing the Gateway Arches project (over $70,000) disrespects staff; requested better support for city workers, parks, and street maintenance.
Jill Roder (District 1) asked for speed limit enforcement on River Road and voiced opposition to new data center development, suggesting a moratorium to study impacts.

Discussion Items

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation – Mayor Whitting read the proclamation; Domestic Violence Victims Advocate Jeanette Morad accepted and highlighted community events (1K walk, partnerships with DAWN, purple lights, and educational sessions).
Community Conflict Resolution Day Proclamation – Proclaimed October 15, 2026 as Conflict Resolution Day; Marilise Hood Quant of the Center for Dialogue and Resolution spoke about mediation services, free workshops, and a fundraiser event.
Recognition of Bonnie Anderson – Celebrated her 37-year career as children's librarian; Council members shared personal memories and thanks.
Ordinance – Design Review and Historic Preservation Board (PMC 2.29) – Second reading passed unanimously by roll call (6-0, Councilmember King excused).
Resolution 6A – MFTE Agreement with Willows Pond Apartments, LLC – Approved eight-year multifamily property tax exemption for 30 market-rate units. Councilmember Smolko requested a future study session to revisit the policy, but the motion passed (voice vote, no opposition).
Resolution 6B – Sole Source Purchase of Police Radios – Authorized $492,949.58 for 60 portable radios from Motorola Solutions. Council discussed the high cost and sole-source justification; motion passed (voice vote).
MOU with Puyallup Parks Foundation – Approved a five-year partnership to leverage private fundraising for park priorities. Councilmember Adler suggested exploring a city staff seat on the foundation board.
Riverwalk Trail Phase V Project Update – Senior Project Manager Brian Skimmerhorn presented two alignment options: riverside (with costly revetment walls, ~$13M) or an alternative roadside route (~$9M). Council debated impacts, costs, and flood risks; no consensus was reached. Staff will table the item and return with additional information.
Gateway Arches Project – Contract Amendment (Item 7C) – Council discussed the $78,000 design change due to utility conflicts, which could raise total project cost from $2M to up to $3M. Mayor Whitting moved to table the item for further discussion alongside next week's budget study session. The motion passed on a roll call vote: Aye – Councilmembers Smoke, Adler, Gilliam, Whitting; Nay – Councilmembers Castema and Johnson. Councilmember Castema noted the money comes from lodging tax (LTAC) and that the project was already approved.

Key Outcomes

Proclamations adopted for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Community Conflict Resolution Day.
Ordinance amending PMC 2.29 passed (6-0).
Resolution 6A (MFTE) approved (voice vote).
Resolution 6B (police radios) approved (voice vote).
MOU with Parks Foundation approved (voice vote).
Riverwalk Trail Phase V tabled; staff to provide more details at a future meeting.
Gateway Arches contract amendment tabled to the next budget study session (October 13/14).
Council member appointments – Councilmember Castema will serve on the Elected Leaders Group for the Unified Regional Approach to Homelessness (offered by Councilmember Adler).
Executive Session held for 1 hour to discuss potential litigation and real estate matters; no action expected.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. Will the clerk please call the roll? Councilmember Gillen? Present. Councilmember Castomar. Present. Councilmember Smoke. Present. Councilmember Adler. Present. Deputy Mayor Johnson. Present. Councilmember King. Excused. Mayor Whitting. Present. Do we have a motion to approve the agenda? So moved. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. And motion passes. Consideration of the minutes. Do I have a motion to approve the minutes of August 25th, 2026? Motion to approve? Second. All those in favor? Aye. Motion passes. Now we'll like a motion to approve the minutes of September 1st, 2026. So moved. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Motion passes. Okay, so we're right move right into presentations and proclamations. And our first uh presentation tonight, our proclamation tonight regards domestic violence. Uh hopefully everybody's got their purple address for the occasion tonight. Uh so I will read the proclamation. The proclamation will be accepted by our domestic violence victims advocate, Jeanette Morad, uh, and we'd like you to say a few words when the time comes. Whereas domestic violence is a public health crisis that involves a pattern of behavior used by one person one individual to establish and maintain power and control over another. And whereas domestic violence shatters lives, robs children of their innocence, and can destroy the life of any citizen regardless of their age, race, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender. And whereas the Puallop City Council applauds, encourages and supports the ongoing robust and compassionate effort by police prosecutors' office and volunteer agencies to support victims of domestic violence, and whereas the City of Puallop is part of its commitment to end domestic violence, employs a domestic violence victims advocate to support victims during the criminal process to educate youth about healthy relationships and access vital resources and assist in the prosecution of cases. And whereas the City of Puallop urges all citizens to reaffirm their commitment to domestic violence in any form and to any degree is not acceptable and is preventable. And whereas the City of Puala recognizes the need for community awareness around domestic violence and therefore supports the efforts of the Purple Light Nights program, which remembers the victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence, supports those who have survived domestic violence, and provides hope for those still living with abuse.

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