The Puyallup City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Tuesday night that bans two or more sex offenders or violent felons from living together in residential areas in the city limits.

The first reading of the ordinance was back in February, and Tuesday’s vote builds on a recently signed state law that limits how many former inmates using state-issued rental vouchers can live together.

The action follows a 10-month emotionally charged public process that sparked the effort at the state level.

The city’s ordinance prohibits two or more offenders from living together in any residential zone within city limits. It also …

Read more »

Puyallup’s annual Meeker Days will include a charitable event to benefit sexual assault resources in Pierce County.

The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser, part of an international movement designed to raise awareness about domestic violence issues, will be June 22 at 10 a.m. with an associated 5K fun run starting at 9 a.m., according to a city press release.

Last year, Puyallup City Council members participated in the Tacoma-Pierce County event where participants wear high heels and walk a mile — literally — in women’s shoes. This year, Puyallup is hosting a local offshoot of the march.

  …

Read more »

Several Planning Commission members have filed to run for open seats on the Puyallup City Council.

Mayor Rick Hansen is ineligible to run again, and candidates Steve Hastings and Heather Shadko filed to run for the open position.

Hansen served as a council member from 1980 to 1988, and has reached the 12-year lifetime term limits set by the City Council in 2011. A new mayor will be chosen after the election. It is an appointed two-year position filled by standing council members.

Hastings is the chair of the city’s Planning Commission.

Shadko, who works for the Port of Tacoma …

Read more »

Judge Andrea Beall, appointed last year to replace Judge Stephen Shelton after his retirement Nov. 1, has filed to run for Municipal Court Judge in the fall election, according to the Pierce County elections website.

Beall was chosen from 14 candidates to fill the unexpired term. She was appointed by Puyallup Mayor Rick Hansen and unanimously approved by the City Council.

She is the only candidate who has filed thus far. Filing week ends Friday, May 17.

Beall is the first female Municipal Judge in Puyallup.

Kari Plog: 253-597-8682
kari.plog@thenewstribune.com
@KariPlog

Chris McNutt, vice chair of Puyallup’s Planning Commission, has filed to run for City Council, according to the Pierce County elections website.

McNutt filed to run for District 3 Position 2. He is the first to declare a bid for the district spot. Filing week ends Friday, May 17.

District 3 Councilman Kent Boyle has yet to file for re-election. His current term expires at the end of this year.

Kari Plog: 253-597-8682
kari.plog@thenewstribune.com
@KariPlog

Puyallup Mayor Rick Hansen has reached lifetime term limits on the City Council, and his seat is up for grabs.

So far two candidates have filed to run for the open spot, and both are members of the city’s Planning Commission.

Steve Hastings and Heather Shadko have filed to run for District 2 Position 2 in Puyallup. Hastings is the chair of the city’s Planning Commission and Shadko is an appointed member.

Filing week ends Friday, May 17. Anyone interested in filing for candidacy can do so online or in-person at the Pierce County Auditor’s Office.

Kari Plog: 253-597-8682
…

Read more »

The City of Puyallup continued its effort to address the growing problem of homelessness as it reviewed recommendations for a new task force.

City Manager Bill McDonald has been working on a process to assemble a group to address homelessness issues in the city. He presented procedural plans to the City Council on Tuesday.

In April, the City Council tasked McDonald and city staff to form a tight core group of community representatives to research issues related to Puyallup’s homeless population and the impacts on the city.

At Tuesday’s meeting, McDonald presented a memo that outlined recommendations for representatives, focus …

Read more »

The Puyallup Parks, Recreation & Senior Advisory Board will hold a study session Monday to review the city’s parks and recreation department amid an ongoing budget restructuring process.

Sarah Harris, the recently appointed parks administrator, said department officials will recommend ways to make up for a recent reduction in overall funding for programs and services.

Last month the city made across-the-board cuts of $1.6 million, and the parks budget was reduced by about $236,000.

The original proposed cuts included reductions in part time staff positions, shorter Sunday hours at the recreation center and talk of eliminating the wading pool, a …

Read more »