City Council - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon. I'd like to call to order the Pierce County Council. Today is 04/21/2026. The time is 3PM. If the clerk could please call the roll.

Councilmember Morell? Excused. Councilmember Herrera?

Here.

Council member Kruger? Here. Council member Ayala?

Here.

Council member Yombe? Here. Council member Denson?

Here.

Council member Hitchin? Here.

You have

six members present.

And I literally just left a meeting with council member Morell. I believe he is walking. Council member Morell is now in the house. So we are all present and accounted for. Thank you all for joining us this afternoon. We do have a quorum formally. In a moment, I'm gonna ask vice chair Herrera to lead us in the pledge of allegiance and read a land acknowledgment. Following the pledge, I would ask that you remain standing for a moment of silence in honor of the lives lost to gun violence, including eight children killed this weekend in Shreveport, Louisiana, all under the age of 12. As of April 20, there have been a 117 mass shootings in The United States, and we pause to reflect on the lives cut too short. Vice chair Herrera to lead us in a pledge and then a moment of silence.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional homelands of the Coast Salis tribes. Coast Salis people have lived and steward these lands since time immemorial and continue to do so today. We recognize that this land acknowledgment is one small step towards true allyship, and we commit to the uplifting voices, experience, and histories of the indigenous people of this land.

Thank you, vice chair. We are now at our section four, which is approval of our agenda. Is there any objection to our agenda as presented this afternoon? Seeing none, we'll consider our agenda approved. On today's council agenda, there'll be multiple opportunities for public comment.

On the consent agenda, you may provide comment on any final action item. This does not include items that are on the agenda for scheduling or introduction. And then during sections eight, or during section eight of the agenda, we'll take public comment for each resolution individually. And then finally, under community forum, there'll be an opportunity to address the council on any topic that is not up for final action on today's agenda. For more information, please see the bottom of the front page of your agenda for what we call the fine print.

So more details on the rules. We're now at our consent agenda. Our consent agenda has one set of minutes and one appointment resolution. Is there anyone wishing to take anything off the consent agenda before I look to the vice chair for a motion? Vice chair for a motion?

Chair, move to approve the consent agenda as presented. Second.

It's been moved and seconded. I'm gonna pause and see if any of our appointees. We are extending the appointment of Amy Bauscher, Ted Christie, Brandon Raynen, and Joseph Der Veis. We have quite a few people in chambers. I just want to see if any of you are here. If that is you, we would love to meet you. Nobody's jumping up. And I didn't see any of those names online, Mr. Winesberry. Have you seen anyone? Okay. Well, we always appreciate and thank anyone who says yes to being on a Board and Commission. So thank you. We are going to open this up for public comments. So at this time, we'll start in chambers. If anyone like

to address the council on our consent agenda, please come to the podium. I am assuming many of you are here for different reasons. But just in case,

not seeing anyone, we'll go online. Mr. Weinsberry.

Yes, madam chair. For any members of the public who wish to provide comment on any final action items, press the raise hand icon on Zoom or star nine on your telephone keypad. And I see no hands, madam chair.

With no hands raised, we'll close public comment, bring it back before us. The full council, the motion before us is to approve the consent agenda. Can the clerk please call the roll?

Council member Denson. Aye. Council member Morrell.

Aye.

Council member Herrera.

Aye.

Council member Kruger. Aye. Council member Ayala. Aye. Council member Yombe. Aye. Council member Hitchin. Aye. You have seven ayes, zero nays.

With seven ayes, zero nays, the motion is adopted. We have no messages from the executive or other county elected officials today, so we're gonna move to proclamations. We have two proclamations today, very excited for both of them. Our first proclamation today is the council and executive designating 04/22/2026 as Earth Day in Pierce County. And I'd like to welcome the following individuals to the podium as council member Denson, who is getting into costume, reads this into the record.

So we have Lindsey Stover, the executive director of Harbor Wild Watch. I have costumes on both sides of me. Phyllis McElroy, Communications Manager for the Puget Sound Clear Agency. And then Emma and Annie Stafke, founders of My Action County and Two Girls Take On The World. We have others that are here if you want to be in support. Mr. Dix and staff, Kyla, you're welcome to come up. These are the speakers. And I'm gonna turn on Sammy, I believe is the name, as Sammy reads this into the record.

It's actually Gilbert. Okay, sorry. The District seven Salmon. And I have to say, you have to have a lot of nerve to be in this position. So I just want to show you this creation. This is the most beautiful salmon you will see. This is before they migrate up the stream. They're still looking good. And this is an original creation by the District seven assistant Nicole Jones Vogel, who is amazing and could do all amazing things. I also wanna do a quick shout out to Stina Troyer, who has styled me on future occasions as starfish and blue heron.

So she's amazing. All right. Let me get to this. A proclamation of the Pierce County Council an executive designating 04/22/2026 as Earth Day in Pierce County, Washington. Whereas Pierce County remains committed to local action in the face of global environmental challenges, recognizing that sustainability efforts at the community level are essential to protecting natural resources and building climate resilience.

Whereas the Pierce County Sustainability 2030 Plan guides efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, integrate climate strategies into long term planning, and support community driven initiatives, improving the energy and built environment, transportation, waste reduction, climate based climate solution, nature based climate solutions, education outreach, and growing community capacity. All made possible through collaborations between county agencies, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and residents. And whereas Pierce County faces increasing climate related challenges, including rising temperatures, wildfire risk, localized flooding from heavier rainfall, sea level rise affecting coastal communities, and worsening air quality due to wildfire smoke and vehicle emissions, all of which disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. And whereas protecting natural ecosystems, such as Puget Sound's marine life and salmon populations, requires a sustained commitment to climate resilience through investments in green infrastructure, land conservation, habitat restoration, wildfire prevention, emission reduction efforts, and partnerships with local tribes and communities. And whereas protecting our environment is a shared responsibility that requires the inclusion of all communities, recognizing that climate change and environmental degradation disproportionately impact indigenous people, communities of colors, and low income populations.

And whereas the Puyallup tribe, the Nisqually tribe, the Squaxin Island tribe, and the Muckleshoot tribe are sovereign nations, and their sovereignty is an inherent right that has existed since time immemorial. Recognized with a government to government relationship with The United States, we respectfully recognize the Puyallup, Nisqually, Squaxin Island, and Muckleshoot people as past, present, and future guardians of this land, both culturally and legally. And whereas while we have made progress in protecting our health and environment, our work is far from finished. And we each have a role in ensuring a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future for generations to come. And whereas Earth Day reminds us that sustainability requires ongoing commitment and collective action from reducing waste and conserving energy to restoring ecosystems, advocating for strong climate policies, and supporting local conservation efforts.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed on this April 2026 by the Pierce County Council and executive that Wednesday, April 22 is Earth Day in Pierce County, Washington. So

Lindsay,

we would love to hear let me turn on your mic, though. There you go. We'd love Thank to hear from

you so very much, Madam Chair, and all the council members, especially Councilmember Denson, for the invitation to come and help represent the environmental education groups in Pierce County. Harbor Wild Watch was founded back in 2004, and our mission is to inspire stewardship for the Salish Sea. We do that through education and monitoring activities. We operate within all four watersheds in Pierce County and serve over 40,000 individuals residing and visiting this community every year. And we are very proud to be able to call the county a true partner in that work.

You have been since nearly day one. Councilmember Denson was a founding member of Harper Wild Watch. So we're just so pleased to be here and continue the amazing work that you all are doing. So thank you for the opportunity and for this proclamation.

Thank you. Phyllis?

Hello. I'm Phyllis McElroy, communications manager at the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. On behalf of the agency, thank you so much for this proclamation. Earth Day is a fitting moment to recognize that the Puget Sound region has long been a climate leader. And today, I'm glad to share how we're carrying that leadership forward through our comprehensive climate action plan, a road map that charts how we'll help the state deliver on its ambitious 2030 and 2050 climate goals.

The CCAP was built through collaboration at the regional, county, and local levels. It includes strategies and actions that center equity and environmental justice while maximizing health, environmental, economic, and social outcomes for our most vulnerable communities. To build on this work, the agency is developing a proposal to formalize what shape regional climate coordination and action might take. And we look forward to working with each of you this year as we conduct our outreach efforts to gather your input. Every Earth Day marks the distance between where we are and where we need to be.

The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan is how the region plans to close the distance. And we're grateful to have partners like you alongside as we do. Thank you.

Thank you. And Emma and Annie?

Good afternoon. We wanted to begin by expressing our deepest gratitude to you and the county for this incredible proclamation.

We also wanted to thank you for recognizing and continuing to support the critical work of salmon recovery. And that work is directly tied to the survival of a species that we care very, very deeply about, the Southern Resident Orcas. My name is Emma,

and my name's Annie.

And together we are Two Girls Take on the World.

Our campaign is called Everyday for Orcas. And we're swimming in the waters these orcas call home every day for an entire year to raise awareness for them.

And we are now over halfway there. We made it through the winter.

I have never been so excited for spring.

We started this campaign with a simple belief. If people feel connected to something, they're more likely to protect it. So each day, we create short videos on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook that mix humor with education because we believe humor opens the door, education leads to caring, and caring leads to action. And right now, action is critical.

The southern residents are down to 76 individuals. They face threats of pollution, vessel noise, and a lack of Chinook salmon, their main prey. They don't get a day off from hunger, and they don't get a break from pollution. They don't get a pause button on extinction. Our daily swim is a small act, but it's meant to be a visible one. A reminder that protecting these orcas takes consistency, community, and commitment.

Saving the southern resident orcas isn't just about whales. It's also about who we all are. It's about whether we're willing to protect a species that has taught us wonder, connection, and meaning before it's too late. And it's about choosing responsibility over regret. This moment matters. What we choose to do right now or to not do will shape the future of the Southern residents and our environment.

So thank you for being here and being part of this work. Because every day matters, every action counts, and together we can protect the Southern Residence. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Thank you. So I'm gonna see if any of my colleagues have things they'd like to say before we invite you to come up and take a photo? Councilmember Dents, your light was off and on. Did you want to start or would you like to go last?

I keep messing it up. Salmon are not good at audio visuals. Got my fin here. I want to know what Council Member Morell is. Earth. What is he? Eelgrass?

Go ahead.

I was hoping. No, I think the proclamation really says it all. But I have to say, as we were preparing for this, I kept thinking of other groups, like additional groups to invite. So let me just say, anybody who was not invited, please don't be offended. It's a tough problem, or it's a great problem to Here in this community, we have so many people that care about the environment and are working on the environment. We have our climate cohort people. We have the ORCA team back there at Pierce County, and we have all the community based organizations. We've got groups of little kids all the way up to to seniors seniors who have paraded in here in orca costumes before. That was my first year on council, we saw that. So we're very fortunate.

And Pierce County, I know we work really hard, our orca group especially works really hard on habitat restoration, on salmon habitat, particular on orca specific issues. And we're always open to ideas from our local community partners that are spending time out there in the marine environment or in the watershed environments if you have ideas of things that we should be looking at. We've got educators that go out into our schools. We'd love to partner however we can with your groups. But your groups are really expanding the reach. I know with Harbor Wild Watch, you do like 100,000,000 programs a year, right? Just about?

700.

It's incredibly big. Mean, I was exaggerating just a little bit, but it's so impressive, the reach. And then the two girls take on the world. You guys are getting an international reach with all of your videos, and I should go out and plunge with you guys sometime because I really need a lot of peer pressure to get in that water. I would probably do it with you because I've tried on my own and I get partway in and I'm like, that's just good enough.

And then the Clean Air Agency, you guys are the real leaders regionally in this work. And what I love about you guys is you're going out for kind of the big grants, the big money, and you're bringing in the county, the cities, the local jurisdictions because we all have a role to play and we all need to be part of it. So thank you for that. So thank you all for all your work. We just so appreciate it. So important. And thank you all for taking the time to come.

Thank you, Councilmember Denson. Other comments? So I will just extend my gratitude to the organizations that do this day in and day out as a former and recovering science teacher, getting kids to really be excited about how we engage. You you nailed it. I mean, using social media and doing something that kind of peaks people's interest is a great way to do it.

And then I know that you just truly work on educating. And then I will do a shout to our side of the house with the county with the work that I want to say it's the YES program and ORCA really has been doing around how do we get schools, school districts, community orgs, just neighborhoods that are like, hey, we have space, we want to do something. How do we do something that will help our planet? And that's the way we are going to save our planet. We don't have a planet B, there is no extra planet to go to.

No matter how many times you watch a sci fi movie, it doesn't exist at this point. And so we need to be taking care of it. So appreciate that we're doing this. Mr. Winesbury, I would love to do a photo, like two photos, one that includes county staff as the second one, and I'm going let you arrange. That's my suggestion.

Yeah. We can go on.

Okay. Hi.

So thank you all to our community organizations that are here to support that proclamation. We're gonna switch gears to a slightly more solemn, but just as important proclamation today. We are honored to proclaim that the council executive are designated 04/26/2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Day in Pierce County. And we have Nadia Van Ader, who is the director of Crystal Judson Family Justice Center. And Corinne Schemp, who is our chief criminal DPA from the prosecutor's office here to say a few words.

But we also have several of our advocate providers and organizations here. So when we take the photo, we'll make sure that we invite them up. And then I'm gonna read this into the record. A proclamation of the Pierce County Council, an executive designating 04/26/2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Day in Pierce County, Washington. Whereas domestic violence is a pervasive issue that affects individuals and families across Pierce County, Washington, irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, status, or religion.

And whereas domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to maintain power and control, which include physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, financial control, coercive control, and isolation. And the impacts of domestic violence are long lasting for survivors and loved ones. And whereas the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center, named in memory of Crystal Judson who tragically lost her life to domestic violence, serves as a beacon of hope for victims and survivors by providing a comprehensive, easily navigable service model that integrates support from the government and community organizations. And whereas this work is not done in isolation and on one's own, and the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center strives to support survivors through colocation and collaboration, working with partnership with many dedicated organizations that include Rebuilding Hope, Our Sister's House, YWCA of Pierce County, Korean Women's Association, the Peop Tribe Community Domestic Violence Advocacy Program, Tacoma Pro Bono, JBLM Family Advocacy Program, the Department of Social and Health Services, Kindred Souls, MultiCare, Oasis Youth Center, Family Renewal Shelter, Exodus Housing, Northwest Justice Project, Northwest Immigrants Right Project, PCCADV, Tacoma Community House, the City of Tacoma Neighborhood and Community Services, Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, and many more, if that wasn't a long enough list, all work tirelessly to offer critical assistance and advocacy for survivors.

And whereas the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center year after year has provided no cost services including victim advocacy, safety planning, electronic filing for temporary protection orders, criminal and civil legal services, housing emergency assistance, chaplaincy services to victims, supporting survivors, providing real time support to calls on domestic violence helplines, and providing proactive outreach to victims. And whereas April is nationally recognized as both Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the tireless work of the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center and its partners to marshal resources and provide critical services to victims of these heinous crimes is an immeasurable benefit to our community. And whereas, as we work to honor Crystal's memory daily, we take this day in April to recommit ourselves to providing quality services to our community and recognize that stopping domestic violence is everyone's responsibility. And community members needing support can reach the 24 domestic violence hotline at 807997233. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed on this April 2026 by the Pierce County Council and executive that Saturday that Sunday, April 26, I think it's Saturday, is hereby designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Day in Pierce County, Washington.

We encourage all community members to dedicate themselves to domestic violence prevention and join in this observance. Let's give them a hand. So, Nadia, we would love to hear from you.

So, again, my name is Nadia, and I'm the director of the Crystal Jutson Family Justice Center. Thank you, madam chair and Pierce County Council, for taking time to honor Crystal, support survivors, and acknowledge the hard work that gender based violence organizations provide for our community. Domestic violence is something we often mischaracterize as something that's private and something that happens in the home. But the reality is is there's so much more to it than that. Domestic violence is a crime.

And while it sometimes happens behind closed doors, it is something that is harmful and has long lasting impacts on our entire community. This is something is that better? Yes. Okay. This is something that thrives in silence and in isolation.

The National DV hotline cites that one in four women, one in seven men will experience severe domestic violence in their lifetime. And the Human Rights Campaign cites that fifty four percent of non binary and trans individuals will experience DV in their lifetime. What's important to note about these numbers is that they note severe. If we take a step back and include all of the different dynamics and tactics of power and control, we see these numbers rise. Severe violence is just the tip of the iceberg, but it's going to include such things as emotional abuse, financial control, isolation, intimidation, reproductive coercion, and other forms of privilege that the person causing harm may use against the survivor.

This means that domestic violence has a deep impact not just on us, but our entire community. While the rates of domestic violence are high here in Pierce County, we have deep partnerships that show up every day to support survivors and each other in this work. This work can only truly be done in collaboration and with partners. And I hope that our commitment in Pierce County is evident by how many amazing organizations are here today that work with survivors on a daily basis. And I just want to acknowledge all of these wonderful organizations behind me.

So I want to acknowledge the partner organizations that are here and those that couldn't make it. And these include our sister's house, the YWCA of Pierce County, Rebuilding Hope, the Puyallup tribe community domestic violence advocacy program, Nisentro, Tacoma Pro Bono, Oasis Youth Center, Korean Women's Association, and the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and as proclamation noted, many, many more. I encourage you all to keep this at the forefront, learn how to genuinely support survivors and gender based violence organizations. And I encourage you to challenge ideas and practices that cause harm and blame survivors for the violence that they're experiencing and lean into that control. I appreciate you all making time to acknowledge this, to support the work these organizations do, and to most importantly support survivors.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for your comments. D. P. H. Schemp.

Thank you. My name is Corine Schneff, and I'm the criminal chief for the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office. And before I was the criminal chief, I was the supervisor of the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Unit. This work is so important to our community and important to our office. The work that the Family Justice Center does and the collaboration that this allows is something that is pretty unique to Pierce County.

And I think as Councilmember Hitchin read, that the Family Justice Center really does stand as a beacon of hope that was born out of a tragedy that occurred in our community, a tragedy that we can't forget. We have to know what the risks are and what the ultimate outcome of domestic violence can be. And that's why we have the Family Justice Center. And I I have been so grateful for the collaboration with all of the different agencies that work, all of the different organizations that work with the Family Justice Center. And just to have that in our community and have this place where all of those organizations can work together so well.

It doesn't happen in every community where the nonprofits are able to have that level of collaboration. And then to have those good relationships with the the Pierce County Sheriff's Office and the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office, where our goal really is all in the same. And that's to provide support to domestic violence victims and to help them out of the dangerous situation that they find themselves in. So thank you for taking this opportunity to recognize the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center and the important work that that group brings to our community.

Thank you so much. I'm gonna look to my colleagues to see if anyone has comments. Thank

you, chair. So I to thank you for all the work that you do for this. I remember the days when there wasn't a place for someone to go at 03:00 in the morning on Christmas to try to escape a a dangerous situation. You you know, in my former life, I was a police officer. So, I've seen those the kids and how I I used to talk about how it affects, the community, it affects families, and you just see the lights in their eyes are just go out when they witness some of these things.

Also seen, you know, when it comes to like cultural issues, when it comes to acceptance of these type of things, how it used to be a family problem. You know, it was swept under the rug. We didn't talk about it. He didn't talk about it and it was, you know, something like that along those lines. But times have changed a little bit.

You know, domestic violence is not acceptable. Not today in any culture at any time. So I appreciate we bring this up every year. It's good to talk about the people who are there to help and to be awareness that there is some help out there. And there's new people coming, growing up every day and they may not know because of the first situation they're in, they don't know where to go. And it's good to bring it up. So thank you.

Thank you. Any other comments?

Councilmember Kruber. Thank you, Madam Chair. You know, sometimes as women we forget that we are vulnerable. And it's appreciative to have this to create the awareness that at any moment, something can happen. And as much as we would like to think, we're not all a Cynthia Rothrock or Lucy Liu, and we are vulnerable to things that could happen.

And it's almost as if we need to be prepared, as if there is an earthquake disaster, you have to have a bug out bag. And as much as I should have one, I don't. And I probably should admit that I don't, even though I'm on a CERT team. But is something we should have, and that is the knowledge on where to go or what to do when something could happen, because it can be a stranger. And I just want to say how much it is appreciated that knowing that you are there, that I could find your numbers, I can find you, that there is someone there who will help in when we're in need. So thank you for what you do. Thank you, madam chair.

Thank you. Well, if you if you feel like if you watch our meetings regularly, if you feel like you're having deja vu, it really is last week, we had many of these same stakeholders acknowledging these dates are close to each other, though not connected formally as we pause on this very specific date to highlight and remember the loss of what was a preventable death and was in a failure of a system in our community, and we pause to make sure that we are not failing anymore, and that is why we do this. And the partnerships continue to grow in our county, the collaboration and the work between the legal side of the house, the law enforcement side, and the dedicated, hard working advocates and legal supports, and housing providers, and culturally responsive, like, I've walked in your shoes type support is just important. And while it may feel like we aren't ever getting ahead of this, we are making a difference. So thank you to the providers that are here, and we're going invite you to come up and take a photo.

And you know how this works, because you were here last week. We are now at section eight. We have resolution twenty twenty six-one 117 before us. Vice chair Herrera for a motion.

Trying to move proposal r two zero two six dash one one seven s for approval.

Second.

It's been moved and seconded. Could the clerk please read it into the record?

Proposal number r twenty twenty six dash one one seven s, a resolution of the Pierce County Council referring the 2025 update to the unified sewer plan for the Pierce County sewer utility and the sew sewerage general plan review committee naming the members of that committee as prescribed by section two point eight four point zero two zero of the Pierce County code and referring the plan update to the Pierce County Planning Commission for their respective reviews, reports, and recommendations to the

county council. Thank you. And this afternoon, we have Erica Hunt, senior policy analyst, to brief us on this item along with some PPW staff.

Thank you so much. Erica Rhett Hunt, council staff. So with the resolution twenty twenty six one seventeen s, if the council adopts this, then they would submit a draft unified sewer plan to the sewerage general plan review committee for a ninety day review. It would also initiate Planning Commission review of the draft plan. So our Unified Sewer Plan is essentially the county's long range plan that documents everything related to the sewer utility in terms of expansion of the system, maintenance of infrastructure, and it also addresses the health, environment and other regulatory requirements that a sewer system needs to meet and exceed.

It also supports county policies related to sustainability and economic development. So our current USP was adopted back in 2010, and the department has been working for a number of years with a number of challenges in order to get the draft done. So it arrives to you here where it's completed significant stakeholder and public engagement over the last five years. It's completed an environmental impact statement, and this document is ready to go for its draft review. So RCW three thousand six and ninety four requires that when a jurisdiction prepares a unified sewer plan, that it goes to a general sewage review committee.

And so the composition of that committee is prescribed by state law. It includes a representative of wow, I just pressed a button and lost my representative of each city or town that's nearby or that either receives services or is or that receives services or is or provides services that is within our vicinity. It includes an at large representative chosen by adjoining cities or towns. It includes a representative chosen by each of the public or private sewer utilities that are in our area serving at least a thousand homes. One representative of our county legislative authority, who we've appointed through our external boards and commissions and one representative of any municipal corporation operating a sewer utility in this area.

So in this ninety day review period, the committee is going to convene. It's going to report on any suggested amendments, deletions or additions to the draft USP and submit its recommendation back to the county and the council for consideration. Planning Commission review will also occur during this period. So after the ninety day period, you should be receiving recommendations from both the committee the comprehensive plan. It's expected that with this resolution, that review would start on May 1.

So we will probably see this back again in the fall for our regular committee and council review. So in the packet so at the EIDC committee, it was a do pass as substituted recommendation. The substitute basically included some technical amendments that included the draft USP as an exhibit to the resolution and set the date of May 1 for the start of the ninety day review period. The department prepared a community impact note that was included in the packet, and Planning Public Works indicates the proposal will have a de minimis fiscal impact. Today, if you have questions, I can help answer those.

We also have Brandon Smith, Deputy Director of Planning and Public Works here in person. And Steve Hartwig, our Utilities Manager, is available online.

Thank you, miss Hunt. I'll pause and see if there are questions for department staff or miss Rett Hunt before we open this up for public comment. Not seeing any so just in case people are watching, this is not setting rates or charges. This is about the actual program area, how we're moving literally human waste and and water across the county, the two sewer utility locations that we have, and how we manage growth that is projected is kind of the work plan?

That's exactly right. So it's a twenty year plan for how the county is expecting to manage its sewerage in every way that sewerage needs to be managed.

Okay. Vice Chair Herrera, thanks for voluntolding, I guess. I'm not sure, but you're our person on this.

Yes. No problem. But just you talked about managed growth. Is that managed growth of the sewer system or overall growth?

So one of the reasons why it took a little longer for the Unified Sewer Plan to be drafted is that they waited for the comprehensive plan to be completed. So based on the growth projections and the land use plan that's in our comprehensive plan, they have the draft plan includes how we plan to sewer the the areas that were are within our sewage area.

So it's been sixteen years since the last '1, 2010. Was there an expiration on that? And we're we're operating in a gray zone or it's we're just going on that plan at 16 years old?

We are right now going on the plan that's sixteen years old.

K. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other questions? Anything from department staff before I open this up for public comment? Okay. Then I'm gonna open this up for public comment. If there are any members of the public in chambers that would like to address the council on r twenty twenty six-117s, come to the podium. Not seeing anybody get up. So Mr. Winesberry, we will go online.

Yes, madam chair. For any members of the public who should provide comment on proposed number r twenty twenty six-117s, Press the raise hand icon on Zoom or star nine on your telephone keypad. And no hands, madam chair.

With no hands raised, we'll close public comment, bring it back before the council. Is there any further discussion on this item? Councilman Kruger, did you have something, or did I accidentally push your button early?

No. I I just had a comment. I just was gonna say this is probably one of the sexiest resolutions we'll handle all year. And I appreciate all the work that went into putting this together, and it's very extensive. It's hard to get emotional about it, but

that's all I'll say. Okay.

Not seeing any other comments, I'm gonna ask the clerk to call the roll on the adoption of R twenty twenty six dash one seventeen s.

Councilmember Yombe.

Oh, aye.

Councilmember Denson. I. Councilmember Morrell. I. Councilmember Herrera.

I.

Councilmember Kruger. I. Councilmember Ayala.

I.

Councilmember Hitchin.

I. You have seven ayes, zero nays. With seven ayes and zero nays, the motion is adopted. Congratulations. We have a sewer utility plan process underway. Reach out to council member Krueger if you need some

support. So

item number two this afternoon, we have proposal r twenty twenty six one thirty seven. Council member Yambay for a motion.

I move proposal number r twenty twenty six dash one thirty seven.

Second. It's been moved and seconded. Can the clerk please read it in the record?

Proposal number R2026Dash137, a resolution of the Pierce County Council authorizing the Department of Human Services application evaluation committee members to be eligible for compensation pursuant to chapter 2.4 of the Pierce County Code Community Engagement Financial Support.

Thank you. And this afternoon we have principal policy analyst Paul Boke to brief.

So unfortunately, have more mundane matters here today. So, but important to the people who will receive the stipend. Pierce County Code Chapter 2.4 addresses community engagement financial support. The chapter details items eligibility, compensation and administration of financial support to improve participation on county boards, commissions and committees. To be eligible for compensation, an individual must be an appointed or identified member of a county board commission committee or other similar group and have low income.

And so it goes on to talk about exceptions to this and limitations on how much a person can receive in a year. The Human Services Department uses application evaluation committees or AECs, usually composed of three to five members consisting of both county staff and community members who evaluate applications for funding opportunities. In 2025, the Human Services Department released 24 procurements that required the use of AECs. The fiscal note specifies three funding sources for this resolution that will most likely be making the payments of Violence Prevention Fund, excuse me, Violence Prevention, which is actually a general fund item Housing and homelessness, which is a special revenue fund and behavioral health and therapeutic courts fund, which is also a special revenue fund. The estimated fiscal impact is $900 annually.

This was given a due pass recommendation at the 04/13/2026 Rules and Operations Committee meeting. And Ms. Annica Moran from our Human Services Department is here to answer any of your questions.

Thank you. Miss Moran, do you have anything to add before we see if people have questions? So I will pause and see if there are questions. Not seeing any, then I'm gonna open this up for public comment. If you would like to provide comments on resolution twenty twenty six dash one thirty nine, please come to the podium. You have up to three minutes. Not seeing anyone come to the podium, so we will go online, Mr. Winesbury.

Yes, Madam Chair. Was that 137 or 139? Okay.

Oh, I had turned the page. It is 137, sorry.

It's okay, madam chair. Yep. We got you. For the members of the public who wish to provide comment on proposal number R2026Dash137, press the raise hand icon in zoom or star nine on your telephone keypad. And no hands, madam chair.

With no hands raised, I'm gonna close public comment, bring it back before the council. Is there any further discussion on this item? Not seeing any. I'm gonna ask the clerk to call the roll on the adoption of R2026Dash137.

Council member Ayala? Aye. Council member Yombe. Aye. Council member Denson. Aye. Council member Morrell.

Nay.

Council member Herrera.

Nay.

Council member Kruger. Nay. Council member Hitchin. Aye. You have four ayes, three nays.

With four ayes and three nays, the motion is adopted. Thank you. That brings us to item number three, which is let me turn off some mics. R26139. I already tried this one early. Council member Yombe for a motion.

Thank you, madam chair. I move proposal number R2026 Dash139.

It's been moved and seconded. Can the clerk please read in the record?

Proposal r twenty twenty six dash one thirty nine, a resolution of the Pierce County Council authorizing the office of children and youth work group members to be eligible for compensation pursuant to chapter 2.4 of the Pierce County Code Community Engagement Financial Support.

Thank you. And we're gonna go back to Mr. Boke to brief us on this item as well.

Thank you Chair Hitsch and Paul Bogey, Council staff. This is deals with Pierce County Code Chapter 2.4 that addresses community engagement financial support. The chapter details items around eligibility compensation and administration of financial support to improve participation on county boards, commissions and committees. Resolution specifically the council through ordinance number zero-twenty 20 five-568S2 tasked the Department of Human Services to work with the Birth through twenty five Advisory Board to create a work group to look at the feasibility of creating an office of children and youth. It is anticipated that participation in the work group may require a significant amount of effort and time.

For the work group to reflect the community, it is also anticipated that the financial capacity may become a barrier for some potential participants. To help alleviate possible financial barriers to participation in the work group, the Department of Human Services is proposing that the Office of Children and Youth work group receive compensation pursuant to Chapter 2.4 of the Pierce County Code. The fiscal note indicates that an estimated cost annually of about $900 and that the funds will come from the Taxpayer Accountability Fund, which is a special revenue fund. We commonly refer to it here at the council offices and maybe throughout the county as the PASTA account, which is the Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Act. This was given a due pass recommendation at the 04/13/2026 Rules and Operations Committee meeting.

And the Deputy Director of Human Services, Ms. Annika Moran, is here to answer any of your questions.

Thank you. I'll ask again and see if there's anything I didn't think so. So we will go to questions. Are there any questions on this item? Council Member Morell.

Thank you, madam chair. I guess I'll start asking the questions. To be eligible for the stipend, what does the individual have to do? Do they have to fill out forms?

Thank you, Councilmember Morell. Anika Moran, Deputy Director of Human Services, for the record. Yes, there is an attestation to fill out as to income, and then the member needs to fill out how we get them the funding. So usually an ACH form for a direct deposit.

Okay. Who do in the submittal process, who gets to verify attendance on the submittal? Do they have to submit for every meeting and who verifies that?

That's correct. So they submit for every meeting an invoice for reimbursement and the county staff who are responsible for those meetings are verifying.

Okay. And is the county, once the form is verified, I assume it goes to finance or who who who actually writes the check?

Human services processes processes the the invoice and then it goes through the normal workday processes. I'm I'm not sure what the business path for these particular reimbursements are, but it goes through our normal checks and balances.

Okay. So you have a limit of $1,200

There is in code a limit of $1,200 per year to be received through this compensation program.

Okay. And why is there a limit?

I think I would refer that back to finance or the executive's office.

Okay. Is there any year end forms that finance has to send out to these individuals for tax purposes?

That is a good question. I will have to get back to you on that.

Okay. And do you know how much staff time is involved for checking the boxes on your end?

Essentially none. We have very, very few people who have requested to participate in the program and the staff who are doing the initial checking of did they attend this meeting or not are at those meetings as well.

But you still have time to verify. Correct. Yeah. And same thing with finance. Do they have to do any verification other than your verification?

To see if the person was at the meeting or not?

Yeah. Before they cut a check, is there anything they have to do?

I'm not sure what the process is in the finance department, but in human services, we have our program staff and then our fiscal staff check.

Okay. Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. And we are going to go to Vice Chair Herrera.

Thank you, Chair. Just had one question on attendance. Because some of these could be Zoom. Will they still get be eligible for it if they're on a Zoom, or is it actually going there?

In person or virtual is fine.

Okay. Alright. Thank you.

Thank you. And we'll go to council member Gruber.

Thank you, madam chair. Do I assume that if it is on a Zoom, they would have to have the camera on to assume a share of presence for the meeting?

We have not required that.

And then I'm wondering on payment, is that is it monthly that the stipends would be paid out or maybe quarterly or once a year? Because otherwise it might be like writing 15 to 30 warrants or however it's paid out a month. That would be very time consuming for county staff, I would think.

Yeah. Again, almost nobody has requested the compensation, so it has not been a time burden for us at this point. Actual frequency of the invoicing, I believe, is just when the the community member requests the the funds.

Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, madam chair.

Thank you. Any additional questions?

Chair Hitchin?

Mr. Chairman?

Is there

any other I it's in the staff memo, but I didn't didn't bring up the payment structure and it might give you the council some idea of how they came up with the $1,200 So the way it's written, it's low income individuals to support their participation. Stipends shall not exceed $50 for each day during which the low income individual attends an official meeting or performs duties approved by the department. However, income youth age 24 and younger may receive a stipend not to exceed $100 So I think the $1,200 probably came up with $100 a month for a monthly meeting times 12 is my guess. So they felt that they needed to cover that.

Thank you. Any additional questions? Not seeing any. Thank you, deputy director Moran. That's fun to say. At this time, I'd like to invite members of the public to provide comment on r twenty twenty six dash one thirty nine. I got the number right this time. Is there anyone in chambers that would like to rest the council on this one? Not seeing anyone. So mister Weinsberry, we will go online.

Remind me. For any members of the public who wish to provide comment on proposed number our 2026Dash139. Press the raise hand icon in zoom or star nine on your telephone keypad. And still no hands, madam chair.

With no hands raised, I'm gonna close public comment bring this back before the council. Is there any further discussion? So I will just, urge a supportive vote on this one. I know that when we passed this, this particular policy, there was a lot of debate. I will go to Councilmember Cooper first, though.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I figured you'd probably want the last word in.

I

just Although this is very altruistic and it's nice that people It's supposed to be a volunteer in that kind of engagement and transaction. And I just as a county, I think we are neglecting our fiduciary responsibility. Again, it seems nice to be able to pay this out, but we are not in a position to be putting out dollars that we don't have. It reminds me of a story years ago I had heard of a man who wanted to make his life better. And he worked like a dog.

He didn't spend a nickel. He didn't buy a pack of gum. And at that time it was a nickel. So that he could get ahead. And if we're going to be setting up a system that makes people believe, well, I'll just get compensated for things I do, I don't think we're doing due diligence or justice to our citizenry.

And this maybe is kind of the start of something that grows bigger. It's just not something the county, I believe, should be engaging in, particularly at this time in day and age with the different things that are happening. Affordability is like one of the number one next to public safety that people are concerned about. And I don't think it shows a very good stewardship of the tax dollars we get by giving this away, particularly if they're on a Zoom and there's no travel time. So I would urge a no on this. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. We'll go to Councilmember Ayala.

Thank you, Chair. I just wanted to bring something up that we heard in committee. I believe it was Julie Murray who brought forward that there have only been two requests for reimbursements. The and the goal and the intention when this was set up was to create some equitable practices in how we ensure representation across our committees. And so for me, having that representation in our committees is important and significant enough.

And I really applaud that our commissioners and our committee members are not I'm going to say taking advantage of it from a malicious standpoint. And so I appreciate that data point that was brought forward by Julie Murray. And I'm sure we'll have different data points moving forward. But with that, I do want to urge a yes vote.

Thank you. I too would urge a yes vote for many of the same reasons. At the end of the day, the goal of this program when we brought it forward was to make sure that we were hearing from all the different types of people that live in our county. And there are tons of barriers to getting voices from low income or encumbered and community members. And this would be just one way to have a working mother who needs to hire a babysitter to sit on Zoom so that she can actively engage in this work.

And while decades ago you just sucked it up and did it, we are in a space and a place that we don't do that anymore because we want them to participate. We want them to show up. And this is a way to bring those diverse forces. And I think one of the things for this council to think about in the future is to potentially ask for a report at the end of this calendar year of like, how many times did we actually pay this out? And if it is becoming a financial burden or we're paying more committee members to do work and having to cut services, then we have a very different conversation.

But at this point, having somebody who is low income on a board that's working with how do we improve services for all residents, having the voice of somebody who is low income on that board is important. Because 25% of our population, if I'm remembering correctly, lives in poverty, something like that. Miss Moran might have a number, but it's not we we we have a lot of people that live in poverty in Pierce County, so their voices are important too. So I'm gonna ask the clerk to call the role on the approval of r 2026Dash139.

Council member Kruger? Nay. Council member Ayala? Aye. Council member Yombe?

Aye. Council

member Denson? Aye. Council member Morell?

Nay.

Council member Herrera?

Nay.

Council member Hitchin? Aye. You have four ayes, three nays.

With four ayes and three nays, the motion is adopted. Thank you. That brings us to item number four, which is R2026Dash140. Vice chair, are you willing to to move this? It's my thing, but literally my thing. Can I move my own thing?

I can move it. No problem.

Okay.

Chair, I propose R2026Dash140 for approval.

Thank you. I appreciate that you're all okay with having it in district. Can the clerk please read it in the record?

Proposal number R2026Dash140, a resolution of the Pierce County Council setting the date of an evening district number six council meeting for Thursday, 05/07/2026 at 05:30PM at James Sails Elementary School, 13011 13th Street South, Parkland, Washington.

Thank you. And our chief counsel, miss Long, is going to explain what this is about.

Thank you. So the Pierce County Charter provides that the council shall conduct at least one evening meeting in each of the seven districts every year. And the county code, which is the council's rules of procedure, provide that the specific time, place, and dates of the hearings be set by resolution. So tonight, you are setting the district six meeting by resolution. And as stated by the clerk in the title, it will be at 05:30 on Thursday, May 7 at James Sales Elementary School in Parkland. And I will note that this evening district six meeting will be held in addition to the regular Tuesday 3PM meeting on May 5.

Thank you. I'm gonna see if anyone has questions. Council member Morell.

Thank you. And this was directed at miss Long. You stated that this is an addition Correct. To our regular Tuesday meeting. Does it count towards our meetings that we have to per charter do we have to have and what is that?

It doesn't because the wording of the charter is that the council shall meet at least once in each of fifty weeks. So if you had multiple meetings in a week, it would just count as you're looking at the week that you've met in the week. So it has to be fifty different weeks.

Got it. Sounds like we need to change it.

I believe there's a group debating that potentially next week. Any additional questions on this item? Well, I'm excited to host you all in my District Five's side of Parkland. Two zero eight Coffee, which is very famous for scones, will be providing our food. And excited to have you join me.

The topic of the day is youth homelessness. The county participated in that youth action demonstration project. I think I'm missing a word in there, where we actually did better than was anticipated and we haven't really had a chance to highlight that work. So we wanted to do it in a public way in the evening, so potentially some of the youth that engaged could be part of it. And then when we started talking about where to do it, if it's all about kids, let's do it at a school.

So we will be at James Sails Elementary. It's one of the new schools in Franklin Pierce, and they are excited to host us. There will potentially be kids still in after school activities in the playground behind our meetings, so just forewarning. So I am going to, at this time, invite members to provide comment on resolution twenty twenty six-one 140. We'll start in chambers. Not seeing anyone come to the podium, so we will go online. Mr. Weinsberry.

Yes, Madam Chair. For any members of the public who wish to provide comment on proposal number R-twenty 20 six-one 140, press the raise hand icon on Zoom or star nine on your telephone keypad. And no hands, madam chair.

With no hands raised, we're gonna close public comment, bring it back before the council. Is there any further comments on this? The motion before us is to approve r twenty twenty six dash one four zero. Can the clerk please call the roll?

Councilmember Herrera? Aye. Councilmember Kruver? Aye. Council member Ayala? Aye. Council member Yombe?

Aye.

Council member Denson? Aye. Council member Morell?

Aye.

Council member Hitchin? Aye. We have seven ayes, zero nays.

With seven ayes, zero nays, the motion is adopted. Thank you all. They have no ordinances this afternoon, so we are gonna move to section 10, which is community forum. Community forum is an opportunity for members of the public to address the council on any topic of significance to or affecting Pierce County government that did not appear on our agendas for final action this afternoon. There is a three minute limit.

I will also remind community members that supporting a campaign for election or promotion or opposition to any ballot proposition during public comment is not allowed under state law. So we will start in chambers. You have up to three minutes, and if you'd like your name on the record. And we have one member of the public that's been here for a while, I so are you here for community forum? Yep.

So we we have go ahead and come and make your comment, and then we can hand it to the clerk. I hit the mic, and we can make copies of whatever you brought. So if you wanna just come and make your comments because this is your chance. Next Tuesday, same channel, same time. We'll be back. Okay. And and then we'll chat after the meeting. We're gonna go ahead and do yeah. So let's go online, Mr. Weinsberry.

Yes, madam chair. For any members of the public who wish to provide comment, press the raise hand icon on Zoom or star nine on your telephone keypad. Madam Chair, looks like we have one at this time. Last name is Boucher. Please state your name for the record. You will have three minutes.

Hello. Can you guys hear me?

We can.

All right. Good evening, council members. I am a little late to the to the meeting. I just wanted to thank you, Dave Morrell, for on resolution ART twenty twenty six dash one four one earlier, that you guys, I'm pretty sure approved. I missed that, though, and it was for the extending the appointment for, myself and three others, for the Pierce County Landmark and Historic Places, Preservation Commission.

So thank you, for the support there and extending that. There's a lot of, great conversations and great things in the works and happening. I'm really feel honored to be a part of that, and represent District 1. And, also, I I got to hear the proclamation for Earth Day, which was really awesome because we just, in District 1, had a it hasn't officially been coined, but stay on the plateau. We had 20 different organizations and entities coming out to celebrate Earth Day.

We had the youth engagement and sustainable solutions. We had Pierce Conservation District. We had the Muckleshoot language program. They did a native plant walk. We had Pierce the Puyallup timber, fish, and wildlife director come out and talk about the ancestral homelands and the importance of Mount Tahoma and our community forest and our our space.

And it was just a really great time for community to come out, have fun, celebrate our community, our history, and and and our beautiful surrounding forest and nature. You know, Wilkinson Creek is a huge contribution to the salmon. I think it's one of the healthiest or biggest salmon runs, if I'm quoted correctly, in the area. So I I'm proud to be able to really lead that that celebration and looking forward to next year and having more more organizations come out and represented. But, yeah, we're doing a lot of great things when it comes to historic preservation and conservation and cultural preservation in District 1.

And yeah. So we are very appreciative of your support. Thank you, Dave Morell.

Thank you for your comments.

And madam chair, there are no other hands.

With no other hands raised, I'm gonna close community forum, bring it back before the council. Is there any other business announcements? Council member Yombe. Oh.

Look forward to hosting everyone in district on Thursday. It should be good. Also

Date, time?

It will be on so we're asking council members to show up about five. Dinner will be promptly at five from the pool lock. And six, we'll start the meeting. And I am in a race to see if I can finish within a two hour time frame and beat council member Denson, but we'll see.

Okay. Alright.

Yeah, good question. Is Sasquatch showing up at your meeting?

I didn't get an RSVP from Sasquatch. Okay. We'll see. Good

point. Yeah. That toll gets in the way. Any other announcements? Councilmember Ayala.

Thank you, Chair. I do want to share that in honor of Earth Day, Pierce Transit will be offering free rides tomorrow. If anyone wants to take the bus or the link around town. So just making sure the public knows that.

Thank you for the heads up. Appreciate that. Any others? Not seeing any. So we are gonna move to our last item, which is adjournment. Seeing no other business before the council, we are adjourned. Thank you, everybody.