Puyallup is the largest city in Pierce County where voters don’t have the power to enact or repeal city ordinances.
But that appears likely to change.
The Puyallup City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution that sets the stage for the use of initiatives and referendums by voters in the city of 37,000 people.
The council’s action wasn’t a surprise; several members voiced support of the idea last week during a study session.
“I’m really excited about this thing. This is something we’ve been waiting for a long time” said Councilman John Hopkins.
Councilman John Palmer said he would have liked to see the council put the idea out to a public vote, but that’s not how the process is set up under the law.
About 60 cities in the state have adopted initiative and referendum powers, according to the Seattle-based Municipal Research and Services Center. The list includes Tacoma, Lakewood, Federal Way, Bonney Lake, Edgewood and Olympia.
Puyallup won’t be among them for a while, despite the council’s vote Tuesday night.
A 90-day waiting period must pass, during which citizens can file a referendum petition, pushing the matter to a public election.
If a petition isn’t filed, then after the waiting period the council can adopt an ordinance formally providing for the powers.
Mayor Rick Hansen said he doesn’t expect many initiative or referendum measures in Puyallup. But, he said, the powers still should be available.
“It’s a sign on our part that we want to make sure we represent (citizens) and are as transparent as can be,” Hansen said before the meeting.
“It’s a good message to send.”
The council in 2010 discussed giving voters the powers, but there weren’t enough yes votes. Arguments against it included that the measures can be confusing and lack context, as well as subject to influence by special interest groups.
The council has seen some turnover since then, leading to Tuesday’s 7-0 vote.
Initiatives give voters the power to propose new city ordinances, while referendum measures allow voters to approve or repeal ones that already are on the books.
Some subjects are off-limits, such as collective bargaining and appropriating money, according to information from the city.
Some of Puyallup’s neighboring cities have seen initiative and referendum measures go to the ballot the last few years.
Tacoma voters last fall approved an initiative making marijuana offenses that city’s lowest enforcement priority.
In 2010, Edgewood voters used the referendum process to reject a council-approved utility tax.
In 2008, an initiative in Lakewood banning minicasinos went before voters and failed.
Sara Schilling: 253-552-7058
sara.schilling@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/street
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