City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everyone. I'd like to welcome everybody out to our July 21 meeting. Will everyone please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Will the clerk please call the roll?

Present. Do we have a motion to approve the agenda?

Second. All those in favor? Aye. Motion passes. We now move into citizen comments. For those that are not familiar with our process, you can fill out one of these green sheets at the table back there and give them to the city clerk, and he'll get them to me. If you don't want to fill one out, I'll call for anybody that wants to speak after I've called on all the ones that have signed up. So we'll start off with Val Dent. Oh, yes. Would the clerk please provide the instructions for public comment?

Our next speaker will be Andrew Lynn Squaredo.

Thank you. Our next speaker will be Eric Schoese.

That completes the list of people that have signed up in advance. Is there anybody else that would like to speak? Seeing none, we'll move on to the consent agenda. The consent agenda is... comprised of items that are not considered to be controversial and which the council is likely to be unanimous upon. Is there anything on the consent agenda that a council member would like removed? Seeing none, do I hear a motion to approve the consent agenda? Motion to approve. Do I hear a second?

The motion has been moved and seconded. All those in favor, please say aye. Motion passes. We're now entering part three of our agenda, a public hearing regarding the emergency moratorium on battery energy storage systems facilities. And we'll have a presentation by senior planner Chris Beale.

Thank you, Chris. I will now open the public hearing for citizen comments. Each speaker during this portion of our meeting is... allowed two minutes. Is there anyone who would like to speak at this time?

Thank you. Are there any other speakers? OK, we received a public comment in advance of the meeting tonight. And I think it's appropriate that I read it at this time. So I'd like to read it into the record. for the public so the public can hear it. It says, dear members of the city council, it comes from Christine Non of Puget Sound Energy. It says, dear members of the city council, on behalf of Puget Sound Energy, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to comment on proposed ordinance number 3344 related to battery energy storage systems. BESS acronym. Puget Sound Energy is Washington

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion that we approve second reading of item 4A as we've successfully passed on the first motion to make this official.

Do I hear a second? Second. Motion has been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes.

We'll now move on to item 4B, second reading of an ordinance pertaining to routine 2026 budget adjustments. Once again, we have Finance Director Barbara Lopez available to answer questions if there are any. Do I hear a motion to approve second reading?

Mr. Mayor, I recommend that we approve second reading as listed on 4B.

Is there a second? Second. Thank you. Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please so indicate.

OK, moving right along, we move on to item 5A, resolution. We're considering a resolution setting a public hearing for a petition to vacate a portion of West Main between 6th Street Southwest and 7th Street Southwest and all of 7th Street Northwest between West Main and 2nd Avenue Northwest. We have discussed this item a number of times in the past, the underlying matter. But tonight's agenda is a resolution to set a public hearing, not the underlying matter. So I would hope that we could limit our comments to that. Do we feel like we need an introduction to this resolution? Doesn't sound like

So moved. I am, Mr. Mayor, I am sorry. I have identified myself in the queue and I was waiting to be called.

Sorry, Council Member Kastema, I missed that. Council Member Kastema.

Yes, I move that a public hearing actually would take place on the 15th, not September 1st as specified. in the underlying resolution. And this would allow us to go ahead and have that public hearing while the school has opened. And keep in mind, that is just a public hearing. And if there is a first reading, that will be At that moment and then two weeks later, which would be about a month past this date here, we would be looking at potential second reading. And I think that that would just be a wiser approach at this stage. So that's the motion. Second.

Thank you. OK, so we have a motion moved and seconded. Deputy Mayor Johnson.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Maybe city manager, could you clarify the process of this. Maybe it's not here. Maybe, Hans, you could talk about the process. The adoption for a public hearing is going to be coming forward. Tell me the process. A public hearing will be held. Would it be held here in this chamber with the council? Would it be held with some other stakeholders? Give me an idea of the process. Once that public hearing takes place, then what would be the course of action beyond that? And then what would happen for a potential adoption? Walk through the process. We understand what kind of ve

And that would be held here in the council chambers with the council here to listen to the public hearing and give comments, ask questions at that time?

So there'll be a chance to comment on that. Yeah, certainly I agree with the public hearing. It should happen. There hasn't been an official public hearing, but there has been some, I understand, some public interaction at some point in various settings, community settings. Is that correct?

So once the public hearing is set, assuming that Council Member Castema's motion for the 15th is passed, which I'm sure it probably will, could there be action that night or would there be deliberation beyond that 15th in terms of Council potential action?

Yeah. So with that knowledge in mind, I'd like to make a few more comments on this, Mayor, since potential action could happen on the 15th. It would be good to, I think, get out ahead of this a little bit more. So I want to make a few comments on this. To me, beyond the growth of the campus, which certainly has been indicated that they're growing, looking at some of the school's own data, they had enrollment in 2023 at about 1,600 students, enrollment 2024, 1,700. I don't know what 2025, 26 are, but I suspect it's probably gone. So the campus is increasing. The footprint certainly is small. Th

Yes. Council, I'd like to take a look at that document publicly. We've only seen that once. Is that something that Council would be open to doing? Is there a resistance to that?

I was just curious if we can save that for September 15th or because just for that's the appropriate time for this?

Out of respect, September 15th could be a decision maker. We should look at that now as a preface.

My sense is that the 15th is a public hearing, and we won't be taking action in all likelihood at that time. So I think there's plenty of time to do that in the future. would suggest that we can have that at that point in time.

Mr. Mayor, I made a request. I understand it's up to the council. I'd like to make a motion that we show the video and make it council support or against that. I don't think it could harm to have it here tonight. It is an item on our agenda. We shouldn't be afraid to look at the data. The people here deserve to see this video, and people watching online deserve to see this video, rather than at the day of the 15th when I asked Hans Hunger that we could take action that night. We could. So I'm not convinced that we won't take action that night. We may or may not, but this is a great time. It's

So just clarification, Mr. Mayor. Do we want to show the video tonight? Is that the request? Or did it be distributed to all of us? Because I would gladly have it distributed to me, and I will watch it. But I don't know if technically it's possible for that to happen, if that is so your request.

Everyone's received it, Council Member Kastema. All council members have received it several weeks ago. And I'm asking it to be viewed publicly so the public can see it.

excuse me as as chair we we need to uh have the floor yielded to you and so we've we've kind of broken that twice in succession so i i'm going to uh ask that we not do that in future mr mayor are you referring to me because i'm still on the queue i haven't finished my conversation you made a motion correct okay so i'm going to ask for a second okay second Second. OK, we have it moved and seconded. Any discussion of the motion to review the video?

Mr. Mayor, just clarify what the motion is. Is it to see the video now? Yes. OK, that's fine.

Councilmember Kastner, could you please hit your button? I missed you earlier in the thing, but I would appreciate it if you'd hit your button. You just asked if anyone had a question. And I answered. So we'll take responses in the order they're received when people push the button. So I can't, in order to control the meeting, I would appreciate it if you would push the button. Thank you. So we're the- Call the question. I will call the question. All those in favor of the motion, please so indicate.

Any opposed? Motion passes. We'll watch the video.

And then, Mr. Mayor, I'd like to continue to comment. I made the motion to watch the video, but I still want to continue to talk about that afterwards, so I'd like to continue that after the video, please.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. As you can see in that time lapse, there's quite a few close calls specifically on some of those trucks coming through and the buses. They were jaywalking all the way up and down that street, all the way through, weaving through traffic. I slowed it down and watched at half speed and still very, very close calls on there. That was just one window of time that we're seeing in here. Keep in mind that the school district prepared that video to make the case that there is a public safety potential here beyond just the expansion of classes. And therefore, to settle for the clo

Thank you. I don't mean to belabor this point, mostly because I... The process will allow us to have future debate in the fall. But I did just want to highlight what we were shown, because I think context is important. And so that was a video that was provided to the council by the school district at some point over the last year. It looks like that video was taken in January of 2024. in the morning, or in the afternoon, rather. So I'm just going to say, clearly, the video is very impressionable. But that is just one angle and one area of a very obviously challenged neighborhood with pedestria

Yes, and I'll jump in now as well. That video depicts conditions that no longer exist. The block for the past, I don't know how long, has been already vacated, the area that we're talking about vacating permanently. And I've walked that area during school hours, and the tenor of it has changed dramatically because that area between the portables and the campus, not between the gym and the parking lot, most of the traffic takes place between the portables and the campus. And that's been the reason for the need to vacate that portion because with the addition of additional portables, you've got

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I am looking forward to hearing from the residents on September 15th because I think your voice really matters. And I'm looking forward to the school district sharing their vision for growth and the validation of closing off that street. Or maybe it's not permanent. It's just... Semi permanent because maybe there's other needs for growth on the other side of the campus either way I'm really looking forward to comments on the 15th. Thank you.

Mr. Mayor Yeah, as we come up on the next meeting for this topic on the 15th. I would definitely like to see if there was or can be a brought forward a new or current traffic study over the past year obviously we won't be able to do that into the new school year but over this past year that'd be great if there is anything there also just a quick notable that have there been any incidents in the second block since the first block vacation has occurred over the last school year and I would also like to see what that future growth looks like on both east west north south wherever you can squeeze

OK, we've gotten far afield from the original amendment. I believe we've got a motion and a second on the floor. Is that correct? OK, so the motion is to set a public hearing on the 15th of September. All those that are in favor of that, please so indicate.

Any opposed? Motion passes. Okay. We'll now consider the process for seeking proposals for use of city funds received from a state sales tax credit for the purposes of affordable housing, and we'll have a presentation by city manager Steve Kirtley.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You had briefed me on this in our weekly discussion a while back and then recently, I think yesterday, and so I was aware of this. Opportunity that you brought to my attention. I did speak with the city manager as well And if I understand correctly, are you looking for action tonight potentially from the council or what are you looking for Steve?

But mainly just looking for feedback on my recommendation Well, if you don't need an official motion from the council I certainly like to indicate clear direction that we shouldn't go up an RP We should recap this recoup this these funds and utilize it locally as per our What we feel is best for our city and you rather than let the state absorb that and may never see it so if we have a lot meant to this funds and we can direct that to Providing more affordable housing in our area through whatever organization is providing that I think we should do it So I hope that the council Sees the same th

Mr. Mayor Yes, you and I had spoken about this a little bit in depth during our time on the briefing portion of this before council and I'm one of the things that comes to mind is these funds cannot be pulled back from the state if this program were to end. Is that correct?

Would it be more advantageous, since the law hasn't been brought forward or potentially discussed, that we utilize the money that is there and perhaps invest it to recap a yearly budget, perhaps about $140,000 potentially a year on average, just talking about what the return would be on that. And that way we are able to do that. Can we do that? So that way the money is continuously, every year we're able to use that as an investment to put towards housing situations like this.

I see. My objective to this whole conversation right here would be to utilize the funds that we do have to roll those every year to be able to sustain those donations throughout. But if council doesn't see that to be fitting or if there isn't a market that we could put those in to be able to recoup a higher return, then obviously we got to do what we got to do. So that's all I have, Mr. Mayor. Thank you.

Thank you. Appreciate the short presentation. I just want to say that I support going out for an RFP. I wish that we would have spent the money sooner. Folks need housing. If we can contribute to the solution and be part of the solution, I think we should be doing that. I have had a state legislator tell me I see or know that city of Puyallup has quite a bit of money, $1,406. And I have heard you have not spent them. You are not the only ones, but we're going to come for that money, is what this legislator told me. They, the state. The state is in an incredibly difficult financial budget situa

Just as addressing that question a little bit, the RFP will bring in a variety of proposals that may serve different aspects of it. And we will have the opportunity to select between the proposals and prioritize it as we see fit. Does that answer satisfactorily? OK. Councilmember Kastema. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. RFP is fine. Councilmember Johnson, Deputy Mayor Johnson.

Yes, thank you, Mayor. I want to tee up on what Councilmember King stated as an interesting point. I think all of us, it seems like we're open to capturing those funds that are allocated to us and then deciding what to use it for if a good project comes up and there's consensus on that. He raises a question of a hypothetical. So to protect those funds that were reserved for us and the potential that the legislator might pull those funds back and then we're not able to utilize those, is it possible that we could still go for the RFP and then make a decision or not on that, but still pull those

To withdraw from our account? I mean, it's been given to us. It's in our account. They would have to bill us? Is that what you're saying back? I don't know how that would work.

The impression I got is that they're holding it for us. It's in our budget. It's in our budget. We have it in our budget. So, in other words, what is being said here, we've received the money, it's allocated to us lawfully and correctly, but there's a concern that they might bill us and say, you haven't spent it now, so we want it back. Is that what I'm hearing? And is there any precedence for that legally once it's been given and it's still designated for that and hasn't been spent? I'd like to find out if there's any precedence of concern for this. I mean, I hear the talking points, but is t

We should look at that, yeah, because I'm all about spending it if we find the right one. But if we don't find the right one and we're just spending it because we're concerned that it could be pulled out, I would want to check the legality of that. Can the state do that once it's been allocated and given? And as long as we're keeping that reserved for the intent of what it was given to us for, and if we haven't spent it, they shouldn't be able to pull that back just because there's shortfall. I could see if they were holding it for us, that's why I was a little concerned, if they were holding

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. To Deputy Mayor Johnson's comment, frankly, the legislature can do whatever the heck they want. We've seen a lot of unprecedented things over these past few years, unfortunately. And fortunately, if you want to believe that, that's fine. The fact of the matter is, if there is unallocated money that hasn't been spent, they can pass a law and come back after it and heist it, essentially. So that's fine. If that's what they want to do, they have the power to do that. With that said, my question is, with the RFPs, multiple RFP filings come back, can we select more than one ju

Thank you. Just real quickly, Steve, I'm wondering if you may be able to just give a few quick examples of how, if you have them off the top of your head, I mean, I could, but I trust your brain prepared for this presentation better than mine, of what other jurisdictions, municipalities, how they have spent their funds.

Thank you. I'm sure the examples I am prepared or could give, the mayor probably can do a better job. So thank you.

Yeah, there's a lot of projects that are with a lot of organizations that would like to have access to these funds in order to be able to serve our community. And I can mention a number of them. We've talked about the SHAPE Capital Fund on multiple occasions, which is a way that several of our sister cities, Fife, University Place, I think Sumner's the third one that pooled their resources and put it into a capital fund that they're using to fund some projects. So that would be one option for us, but there's an immense number of other ones. And I've heard of many, but the, so, I think there's

Thank you. And do you have an updated figure on our...

OK, thank you. So let's go to Council Member Gilliam for council reports.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just wanted to appreciate all of our constituents that came out and spoke tonight. It's been an interesting week because we just met last week and now we're here again this week. And I've had the opportunity to meet up with some constituents about the PHS street vacation. And so it's... I just enjoy learning from our residents and what they're experiencing so that we can do our best to make the best decision for that area. So I just wanted to throw that out there. Also, the farmer's market continues to do very, very well. I'm on the Pelt Main Street Association board, a

Well, as long as we're talking about Concerts in the Park, I better defer to Deputy Mayor Johnson for the report.

Are you calling on me now, Mayor? Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I have some comments. I will touch on that. So it's been a tremendous success, as always. Puyallup has a reputation for putting on a great concert in the park series. Our Parks and Rec team do a great job in picking out the bands. And this year, some new additions is that the Parks and Rec team overseeing that contracted with a new sound company. in a new sound system. And it sounds amazing. Before, it was a little bit tough because we kind of outgrew it. The system that we had before was sufficient when we were kind of sm

Thank you. I'll be brief and just remind folks that we are in a heat advisory until, I believe, either tomorrow night or Thursday morning. Right now it is 90 degrees at 8 o'clock. So please be sure to hydrate. Check on folks that may need a little bit of a reminder to take breaks or visit a cooling site. I know that our Puyallup alerts notification system sent out alerts to those who are signed up regarding the extreme heat and some other information. I received an email, a text, and a phone call. I guess I'm special, or I really needed those reminders. But anyways, just take care of folks and

Councilmember Castema. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, I appreciate you reading that letter from Puget Sound Energy from Christine Non. I think it's very important that the citizens of Puyallup understand some of the changes that are coming about. But what she didn't go into was the fact that we're going to see significant rate increases in the city of Puyallup. I went to the The UTC request, that's Utilities Transportation Commission, which Puget Sound Energy, it's a private company, but they are governed or they are controlled by a public entity that's the Utilities Transportation Committee

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. First, I want to say thank you to everyone that came out. It's always a pleasure to hear everyone's concerns and voices and comments and also resolutions to issues that they have. And so that way we can make good decisions from their comments. So I appreciate that. Concerts in the Park, as Deputy Mayor Johnson said, mentioned I was able to go to the first one and that one was probably one of the biggest I've seen in comparison even to last year and so to say that this Thursday is going to be jam-packed is pretty insane in and of itself the sound is incredible absolutely p

Thank you. And I appreciate all those updates by my colleagues keeping us attuned to what's going on in the city of Puyallup. Just a couple of comments about the PPD. The meeting at Maplewood is one of four. There's four different patrol districts. So if you're in the Maplewood area, you should go to that one. But if you're in a different part of the city, there'll be one in your area as well. So are those scheduled yet, Chief? So only the one has been scheduled at this time, but you can expect additional ones serving other districts. corners of the city. Also, with regard to the PPD, we had a