Puyallup city leaders go to Olympia conference

Legislative conference gives councilmembers training, insight on state agenda

Chris Albert

Last week, Puyallup Councilmembers Kathy Turner and Tami Brouillett made the trek to Olympia for the Association of Washington Cities City Legislative Action Conference.

The conference gives city representatives throughout the state the chance to meet with local state representation to discuss the issues that are facing municipalities, as well as training for new city leaders.

“Those relationships are very important,” Turner said about state representatives.

Many of them already know the issues facing Puyallup, but the conference gives city leaders the opportunity to not only make sure they are on the same page as their own state leaders, but also establish relationships and support from representatives in other areas of the state.

Being present gives city leaders a better chance at state help in securing funding for projects and legislative support on issues that face Puyallup, Turner said.

“It’s making contacts,” she said. “It gives us the opportunity to talk to our legislators to forward our goals.”

Many times, other cities are faced with or have faced the same challenges that Puyallup has, she said. They can offer advice and perspectives that local city leaders may not have thought of.

Elected officials from other cities marveled at the success of Puyallup’s Farmers’ Market, Turner said. As a board member, Turner said, she also works to set common goals city’s in the state share, whether it be public safety, parking or improving municipal infrastructure.

At the conference, local leaders learned about upcoming legislative items including bills examining the taping of executive sessions, the Open Public Meetings Act and measures addressing sex offenders.

As a first time elected official, Brouillett found the training to be very helpful.

“It was a great experience because you do learn so much,” she said.

She only wished they had been joined by more councilmembers. Some cities had five to six representatives present, she said.

“I felt kind of lonely being there by myself,” Brouillett said.

The conference was open for all councilmembers to attend. Costs of registration, hotel, meals and mileage are paid for by the city as per city regulations.

New councilmember John Knutsen said he did not attend training because he felt he had enough experience on how city government works through his 25 years of police work in Tacoma and by attending Puyallup Council meetings for more than two years.

“I would say it’s necessary for some,” he said. “It’s not beneficial for me.”

If a conference or training session comes up that would be beneficial for Puyallup he would be there, Knutsen said. Right now, if he has a question about procedure he contacts staff or contacts he has made through his work in Tacoma.

“I’ve been doing that since before I was elected,” Knutsen said.

The AWC holds several meetings throughout the year, from legislative conferences to training seminars.