[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6388418,"mediaKeyId","2114230-94a1d9d19db7a00f63f3cf72b59dc695","parentId",2114230,"title","Council hears proposed purchasing-policy updates raising competitive bidding threshold to $40,000","audioSeconds",245,"startMs",2705000,"endMs",2950000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114230-94a1d9d19db7a00f63f3cf72b59dc695&start=2705&end=2950","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114230-94a1d9d19db7a00f63f3cf72b59dc695/thumbnail_2705000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6388418/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-hears-proposed-purchasing-policy-updates-raising-competitive-bidding-threshold-to-40000","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388418-2327e0914456e708001e1884ef34df05/orig.mp4?Expires=1775542689&Signature=bYB8kvr6O-pTNsJPsGVhWIGmjjcqtJ6P6aRn42G6wkc0hKP0z9l5xXF6HubUOSirK6dGPn-ZXP7O2R9Cx2otcWaIzg-q9MurFm0UyLliubwVM0BR6tPHrOmOfBvCcLOMF~Btvx2bK~qrekIFoU6Vh02-tbCyZWN0Ehky9fm601SBlWkHX5mNHEpn-KL4Q-GATAxNgGU-Ow1P9Po4rGhT25qu4QnJpHMYoBjACzhSz8F3K1mL16BwFygoXMuy-R4eQc4bEjMAYwIfGpiq7lsH63XWI6UCHYqEc1iKPXmxe5WzZpXlQAtk0020L2ix0NOOOtwGhpJ6pV1e~gg4J-M-Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Milton, WA","date","2025-01-14T13:44:29Z","article","Interim Director Robec briefed the Milton City Council study session on Jan. 13 on proposed updates to the city's purchasing policy to reflect recent statutory changes that took effect in July 2024.

\"One of the biggest changes in this purchasing policy is in the increase of the threshold for competitive bidding,\" Interim Director Robec said, noting the previous threshold had remained at $15,000 for several years and the proposal moves it to $40,000 to reflect rising material and labor costs. Under the proposed policy, department directors would have increased approval authority (up to $10,000) and the mayor's approval limit would increase up to $40,000; purchases above that amount would require council approval, Robec said.

Council member Whelan said she supports the change and called the increase to $40,000 reasonable given inflation and administrative burden. Council members asked whether there were downsides; Robec said the change should increase efficiency and reduce audit vulnerabilities and that much of the increase reflects a statewide change in statutory thresholds.

The presentation closed with staff saying the resolution (Resolution 25-1982) will return to the council the following week for formal action. Milton took no formal vote at the Jan. 13 study session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 1/13/25","oneSentenceSummary","Interim Director Robec briefed the Milton City Council study session on proposed updates to the city's purchasing policy, including raising the competitive-bid threshold to $40,000 to reflect new statutory purchasing requirements effective July 2024.","taxTitle","Milton, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",71994,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6388423,"Sound Transit presents draft EIS for Tacoma Link extension; Milton faces potential property, wetland and traffic impacts",2529,152000,2681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114230-94a1d9d19db7a00f63f3cf72b59dc695&start=152&end=2681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114230-94a1d9d19db7a00f63f3cf72b59dc695/thumbnail_152000.jpg","/articles/6388423/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Sound-Transit-presents-draft-EIS-for-Tacoma-Link-extension-Milton-faces-potential-property-wetland-and-traffic-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388423-94df11eae30888dbcc0341362f2d560a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775542689&Signature=GkPYF-Amq7N-dhWHlGBIHtofoseOnbiy7gkAcUq23VJGiNZBuZsmLzNQWGEMwPxjYVMOri8kSmEaHQmRPwW9tx8g-VZFHHYHeCh3T~FXWl9LoFrSywIEIF2YNb4jpzLwiIC2XW6Yp1Ul8XYCD-q4-zMJsmTRTEUXddevQknP1ijv6CG0mX9Ui~XhChrFgZhSEp0yGYt88pbUXBl3J5IKsHGNb~1YJVpD5aOm6Nhdo-aRG2TwrgwAI0hE31FGFWh-A~A-ZCM9IJ7hMfBxXU-yZ258nINtFPC4wfaUSmi22yb9DMUNOUt2Et3mxKF6F8fZFuwxXoQzvD09oFzA09azgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sound Transit officials on Jan. 13 told the Milton City Council study session that the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Tacoma Link extension is open for public comment through Feb. 10 and includes alignment and station options that could affect Milton.

\"We are in the draft EIS phase,\" said Austin Nielsen, Government and Community Relations, Sound Transit, describing a process that began with early scoping in 2018 and added alternatives in 2023 after tribal consultation and environmental analysis. The Federal Transit Administration published the draft EIS on Dec. 13, 2024, and Sound Transit is accepting comment during a 60-day period.

The project would extend approximately 10 miles with four new stations and is currently at about 10% design, Nielsen said. Sound Transit estimates 24,000 to 36,000 daily riders on the extension and forecasts an opening in 2035 if the current schedule holds.

Cathy Liotta, project manager for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension (TDLE), outlined four alignment options through the South Federal Way segment that includes Milton: two that track primarily along I-5 (the I‑5 and Enchanted Parkway options) and two that follow Pacific Highway/SR 99 (99 East and 99 West). Liotta said the I‑5 and Enchanted Parkway options both affect a \"highly sensitive cultural resource\" the Puyallup Tribe has identified and that the tribe indicated \"there's no amount of mitigation that would be sufficient to address those impacts.\"

Liotta said the Enchanted Parkway option would create the most residential displacements among the four options (40 corridor-wide) and that both 99 alternatives present \"a large\" degree of wetland impacts that the Corps of Engineers will scrutinize. The 99 West alignment would result in 14 residential displacements in Milton, including nine at Cedars RV Court and five at Spring Valley Mobile Home Park, and about 11 business displacements in Milton. The 99 East option would show fewer residential displacements in Milton (0) but greater wetland impacts and left-turn restrictions on SR 99 for roughly 0.9 miles, Liotta said.

Council members pressed for local detail. \"I probably have a lot more questions than I can think of right now in the 20 minutes,\" Council member Whelan said, noting concerns about losing local businesses and long-term tax revenue. Council members also asked about alternatives that would avoid the tribal cultural resources and whether a median or elevated guideway in the center of I-5 had been explored; Sound Transit staff said they explored east‑side and other alternatives but that tribal-identified cultural resources exist on both sides of the interstate in the Fife curve area.

Sound Transit staff said no preferred alternative is currently selected for the Federal Way-to-Fife corridor because of the added route alternatives and tribal concerns. The agency expects the Sound Transit Board to confirm or modify a preferred alternative in Q2 2025 and publish a final EIS in 2027, after which design and construction timelines would be refined.

Sound Transit outlined outreach steps including mailed notices to properties affected by lines or stations, postcards to tenants and businesses within a half-mile of alignments, scheduled webinars and in-person open houses, and offers of one-on-one briefings.

Council members and staff noted they will provide local comments during the public comment period and asked Sound Transit to return with more detailed briefings and maps for Milton-specific impacts.

Ending: The council did not take formal action; Sound Transit staff said the draft EIS comment period closes Feb. 10 and the agency will share submitted comments with the Sound Transit Board during its consideration of a preferred alternative in 2025.","Sound Transit outlined four alignment options in the draft environmental impact statement for the Tacoma Link extension, including two alignments (99 East and 99 West) that would run through Milton and could cause residential and business displacements, wetland impacts and left-turn restrictions on Pacific Highway (SR 99).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6388415,"Council hears first reads on GMA updates and zoning-code revisions including Uptown mixed-use, ADU changes and development standards",2404,2977000,5381000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2114230-94a1d9d19db7a00f63f3cf72b59dc695&start=2977&end=5381","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2114230-94a1d9d19db7a00f63f3cf72b59dc695/thumbnail_2977000.jpg","/articles/6388415/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-hears-first-reads-on-GMA-updates-and-zoning-code-revisions-including-Uptown-mixed-use-ADU-changes-and-development-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388415-f30f0edecd1dfc63e3ddb4801367281d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775542689&Signature=mI99kyoAvjfUZ9uKq4U7MvzJxYrGaRtXUuQ6L2PzOOq9IOTt3ZUnmmCsWzeACb49~L9Epa9iTxUfHfpgKoOirnzFLZE1CizJ5qyOJeuaj1MCUc8o9rIewfKDkiFd6X2I0fplxLuUN3kscCBwrpnaBdjnPmD-clybqciWAzT5H7PQVyfVfCx67W4qP0zqjf~qW~vJXqMBRCMsbgUhugpBiPUFVs7VTxEHxfRaeDWaR-xgH2AqfJ8JtiBly9KLVjZgyRx68ebWSZGpBcgxdlU3zNqdZ0U1sUoVjU4ocsyd0I4Fv1CdxVpAqA6vKvO5u9kDj6EK7ppS-1-O5-yyhiBdPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff on Jan. 13 reviewed proposed Growth Management Act (GMA) updates and corresponding zoning-code changes scheduled as first reads of Ordinance 2104-25 and Ordinance 2105-25.

Planning Manager Stalnecker and consultant Sarah Lukens summarized modest agency-triggered edits to the comprehensive plan and a set of zoning-code changes the planning commission recommended. Staff said several edits came from the Puget Sound Regional Council, the Washington Department of Commerce, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources and will be incorporated before formal adoption.

Major zoning changes presented include a new Uptown mixed-use (UMX) district along Meridian, a neighborhood commercial designation in small commercial pockets, renaming residential categories (Neighborhood Residential 1 and 2) and revised dimensional standards. Stalnecker said the proposal would allow two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for a single-family lot (yielding up to three units on one lot) and allow an ADU on a duplex; NR‑1 would generally correspond to current single-family standards while NR‑2 would allow smaller lots and conditional multifamily under review.

Staff also proposed changes to allowable uses and a new \"prohibited in all zones\" list that would explicitly exclude uses such as data centers, semi-truck storage yards and junk/salvage yards. The draft code adds a maximum impervious-surface coverage, a maximum footprint per building to encourage smaller, multiple building forms, and a \"build-to\" line for pedestrian-oriented mixed-use streets; staff said those measures are intended to reduce large single-footprint buildings and improve walkability and stormwater outcomes.

The planning team proposed removing lodging (hotels/motels) from the Uptown district to avoid a requirement that emergency housing and shelters be allowed wherever lodging is permitted; staff said lodging would remain allowed in the business (99) corridor. Council members asked for more packet materials; staff committed to providing a red-line and clean copies of the comp plan and zoning ordinance ahead of next week's meeting.

Street classification updates were also discussed: staff recommended adding Taylor and Yuma to the inventory of major streets to match their traffic volumes; doing so makes those corridors eligible for grant funding but also would likely require higher design standards (lighting, sidewalks) for future development. Council members asked staff to clarify existing illumination and retrofit responsibilities for reclassified streets.

Council members asked about occupancy limits, potential for boarding‑house conversions, and impacts on single-family property owners. Stalnecker said state law restricts municipal limits on the number of unrelated occupants in a household and that building‑code and public‑health standards would apply if overcrowding or unsanitary conditions were alleged.

Ending: Staff said the ordinances are at first read and will return with full red-line and clean documents for council action next week; no final legislative action occurred at the study session.","Planning staff presented first readings of an ordinance to adopt GMA-related updates and a separate zoning-code ordinance that would add an Uptown mixed-use district, reclassify several streets, adjust ADU and multifamily rules, and add new dimensional controls such as impervious-surface limits and maximum building footprints.","actionData","errors"]

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Council hears proposed purchasing-policy updates raising competitive bidding threshold to $40,000

Sound Transit presents draft EIS for Tacoma Link extension; Milton faces potential property, wetland and traffic impacts

Council hears first reads on GMA updates and zoning-code revisions including Uptown mixed-use, ADU changes and development standards