Group Health Medical Center Earns LEED Gold
The newly-opened 53,000 square foot, Group Health Medical facility in Puyallup, is the first project in the country to achieve certification under the new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, designed specifically for healthcare facilities. LEED for Healthcare (LEED-HC) was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to reward the highest-performing and healthiest medical buildings. “Earning the first-ever LEED for Healthcare Gold certification validates our commitment to enhancing the environmental sustainability of Group Health facilities,” said Bill Biggs, Vice President, Administrative Services at Group Health. “The health of our patients, employees and communities depends on a healthy environment and we are committed to conducting our operations in an environmentally sensitive manner,” he added. For more information on this LEED Gold facility, see the recent press release.
Puyallup 911 Has a New Home!
The City’s Communications Center has now moved into its new location. The move from the old facility located on the Pierce College campus, into the remodeled space at the Puyallup Corporate Yards facility, was completed after months of planning, construction, and testing of equipment. Months of coordination was required to ensure that this critical public safety communications facility experienced no disruption of service to the public or police agencies served during the move. A formal open house is being planned in the near future for city officials, media, and partner agencies.
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“Hearts for Hygiene” – The Annual Chamber Leadership Institute Project
For the past three years, participants in the Puyallup-Sumner Chamber of Commerce's annual Leadership Institute have spearheaded a peanut butter drive benefiting local families in need. This year, they have broken from the peanut butter tradition to help Puyallup and Sumner’s most vulnerable families in a different way. They are launching “Hearts for Hygiene” starting on Thursday, April 18th through Friday, May 10th. The goal of the drive is to collect donated hygiene items to assist needy individuals and families in Puyallup and Sumner.
The Leadership Institute members met with food bank staff recently and learned that they are in short supply of necessities such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper. While many people seeking public assistance receive food stamps through the Department of Social and Health Services, hygiene items cannot be purchased with food stamps. This creates an important need that has a direct impact on the dignity of needy families and the ability for children to feel comfortable and confident while they are attending school.
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8th Ave NW “
Puyallup
Want to see the transformation this street underwent? Look through the project photographs to see details from the construction phase as well as before and after photographs of the site. Intrigued by the positive environmental impact this project made? Visit our Rain Garden Programweb page for information on how to participate in our cost-share program to install your own GSI at your

Explorers compete in the Federal Way Challenge
The Puyallup Police Explorer Post recently participated in the Federal Way Challenge. The Federal Way Challenge is a mock-scenes competition based on actual patrol officer events including active shooter, warrant service, building searches, building searches with K-9 assistance, handgun orientation, defense tactics, physical agility, and sniper challenge. The Explorer Post did well and Explorer Connor Drumm earned a first place award for the sniper challenge. The Explorers learned the importance of communication, teamwork, and problem solving, while having fun. Thank you to Explorer Post Advisors Chad Pearson and Jake Thompson for coaching and supervising the Explorers during the competition.
Read moreWell #18 Water Right - 12 Years and Counting
The City of Puyallup’s Water Division began working with the Washington State Department of Ecology twelve years ago to acquire a 1,000 gallon per minute (gpm) water right for a new well (#18) to be located near an established well (#17) at the Puyallup Recreation Center. Although, the additional water will not be needed until 2030, the city feels it is important to acquire the right sooner rather than later.
Last October, then Interim City Manager Bill McDonald received a letter from the Department of Ecology proposing that the City pursue a coordinated effort between the Cities of Puyallup, Fife, and Sumner, to secure additional water rights for future growth. City Staff has now had several meetings with staff from Fife and Sumner to establish the groundwork for a coordinated and integrated approach to acquiring water rights. In the near future, Council will be asked to consider an inter-local agreement between the three cities. As the coordinated approach with our two neighboring cities moves forward, staff continues to pursue the original water right with Ecology.
Read moreBond Refinacing Effort Exceeds Savings Goals
The City of Puyallup achieved greater than expected savings on January 29th by refinancing portions of three prior bond issues. As part of the refinancing process, the City sold a total of $13.5 million of bonds to replace existing debt. The bond sale resulted in a savings of $815,000 over the next 13 years. While the City set a 3% minimum savings goal, the actual savings achieved by the refinancing was roughly 5.5% due to the favorable bond market.
The City’s solid “AA” rating on the utility revenue bonds and “AA-” rating on the general obligation bonds, both from Standard & Poor’s (S&P), also contributed to the success of the sale. S&P cited the City utility’s strong financial metrics, minimal future financing needs, good management, and the City’s financial performance as factors supporting the strong ratings. Read more
Winter Explorer Academy
Nine members of the Puyallup Police Explorers endured freezing temperatures at the Yakima Training Center to attend the winter Explorer Academy, December 26-31. The explorers received training in police field operations and mock scenes, as wells as drill and ceremony. All of the Explorers that attended graduated from the program, after completing the rigorous training.
Read morePPD Recovers DUI Costs
The Puyallup Police Department’s Holiday DUI Emphasis netted 47 DUIs between Thanksgiving and New Years. During the emphasis patrols, officers arrested 37 impaired drivers. Additionally, 10 drivers were arrested during the 13 extra shifts scheduled around those dates and times that impaired drivers were most likely to be on the road. The additional shifts were paid for by utilizing the department’s DUI Cost Recovery account, which is comprised of fees levied against persons convicted of Driving Under the Influence. This additional fee pays for the cost incurred when a person is convicted of a DUI.
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“Breakfast With Santa”
“Buddy the Elf” was the theme of this year’s Santa Breakfast, with 338 adults and excited children in attendance. The character “Buddy” did a wonderful job entertaining the crowd and the “Holly Buddy Band” set the stage by playing the music from the hit movie “Elf”. The highlight, as always, was Santa himself! The Recreation Division would like to thank the many sponsors who contributed donations to help carry out this annual event. In addition, nine high school students volunteered their time at the event; the students did an awesome job and earned community service hours. This was the 9th year for the Santa Breakfast, and the most successful yet!
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