[{"_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",6321119,"mediaKeyId","2351872-7b47ef1c8cb0ecd0e7ebc6910cc33697","parentId",2351872,"title","Council declares Hill Tower Park play structure surplus, schedules removal and replacement planning","audioSeconds",406,"startMs",2454000,"endMs",2860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2351872-7b47ef1c8cb0ecd0e7ebc6910cc33697&start=2454&end=2860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2351872-7b47ef1c8cb0ecd0e7ebc6910cc33697/thumbnail_2454000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6321119/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-declares-Hill-Tower-Park-play-structure-surplus-schedules-removal-and-replacement-planning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321119-b19d677f07a401c6a7428465d6a4ffda/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095577&Signature=fnTUAu2nPkQYcpSIjkrGfepsPy4kGtHOYq0N~VajqopJJC1vVY-GHVTOUbiOC4tyoTawbtWSn0WDruVLEGRgeS-OOBe5s~8XhBtKlq2bLPwPmRPNZk0yJn-mj2lZsTykgWTl7-VdU2dPGYiNNaLIMDTWv52tY0vLIE-sVhNxD7ttVNPfka0cd4VrFReMps4bThZLxl74zhPy9erK4lpwkjTszi2ufyrdYi7M7RaP6-LQkKCwldzT3v~JI8ZllmEYu~h9z24Gq-inNUFea~pLXY5wddLOiWUp1FjRmox0NiF2NDxcYdAGDLTzzXdAyKt9JhcMr2mPntq4cHo1SG9U8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Milton, WA","date","2025-02-19T15:57:16Z","article","The Milton City Council voted 6-0 on Feb. 18 to declare the Hill Tower Park playground structure surplus and authorize its disposal under Resolution 25-1986.

Director Madden told council the play structure has exceeded its usable life and several deficiencies make repair cost-prohibitive, particularly given the park is slated for broader redevelopment. Because the structure’s potential value exceeds $5,000, staff brought a surplus declaration to council to authorize disposal.

Council member Strader moved to approve the resolution; Council member Peretti seconded. Council members and the park director discussed removal timing, interim site treatment and plans for replacement funding and design.

Staff said removal is planned for April, after which crews would remove play chips, spread topsoil and hydroseed so the area is usable during the park redevelopment process. Replacement structures of similar quality were estimated by staff in the range of $150,000 to $200,000; staff said the city would seek Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant funding and target fall 2026 or early 2027 for installation once a permanent site and final design are determined.

Director Madden said inspections now occur annually; a certified playground inspector, Brent Thompson, was identified as the staff inspector. The damaged structure is currently cordoned off and staff plans to post notification signage and publicize removal on city social media and the website.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 25-1986 — Motion to declare playground equipment at Hill Tower Park surplus and authorize disposal. Moved by Council member Strader; seconded by Council member Peretti. Outcome: approved 6-0.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 2/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","Milton approved Resolution 25-1986 to surplus a deteriorated play structure at Hill Tower Park. Staff said removal is planned for April, topsoiling and hydroseeding would follow, and replacement—estimated at $150,000–$200,000—would be pursued via grants with a target of fall 2026 or early 2027.","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},6321124,"Council adopts first 2025 budget amendment; department staffing and TIB grant included",303,2144000,2447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2351872-7b47ef1c8cb0ecd0e7ebc6910cc33697&start=2144&end=2447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2351872-7b47ef1c8cb0ecd0e7ebc6910cc33697/thumbnail_2144000.jpg","/articles/6321124/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-adopts-first-2025-budget-amendment-department-staffing-and-TIB-grant-included","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321124-36f8029ce5bfa3e833c4c11c0e5d4543/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095577&Signature=EJcXn8IANc-WRGxvdP2Sp3bzy2~Me~HQGZ7IDoq3TBc2FprizE13RUwEHx6oBfB6sCBltTH73PkTzPWTdo9PMKJzC5Vkbr7G3i5QAfE4xrGTzqUkZjGw6i-52YTduf8d7w2u9~nIaxh1AV9CkmqtUwJY9gAF-rlQJNQjsek~1LJUE~2ej-rI0kWoAyPSgJZIT4lS7o7XJAXXCpn8KfPejH1h8kWOC~pRd1A~SWIE9v3KbSr504lxe7gesCecVsDOhBY~dnfq~jki6YzLseUciAvwHAXfUD7otA673M35ja9-xc22r-dAshWZoJAIFa~w7rGXKHXImnni3vRQmCrqnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Milton City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2106-25 on Feb. 18, approving the first amendment to the city’s 2025 budget to reflect changes since the original adoption in December 2024.

Interim Director Robec told council the ordinance incorporates a Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grant and makes a change to the municipal wage scale that defunds two police corporal positions and reinstates a police sergeant and a police officer, producing no net change in total police headcount. The ordinance and accompanying exhibits were presented for first reading at the Feb. 10 study session; exhibit B was revised to clarify the requested changes.

Council member Cedar moved to adopt the ordinance; Council member Hall seconded. Council members thanked staff and the police chief for evaluating staffing needs and adjusting roles to meet service goals.

Staff explained the corporal positions were created in a prior collective-bargaining agreement as three-year rotations. After a departmental review and in response to state policing reforms, the department and city staff concluded an “officer in charge” (OIC) model better fits current supervisory requirements. Under the OIC model the most senior officer on a shift performs supervisory duties when a sergeant is not present. Staff said the change aims to increase field availability while maintaining supervisory coverage.

The council adopted the ordinance on a 6-0 vote. The ordinance directs city finance staff to implement the budget changes detailed in exhibits A and B and to report back as needed on grant administration and position reallocations.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2106-25 — Motion to adopt the first amendment to the 2025 budget, including TIB grant insertion and police staffing/wage-scale adjustments. Moved by Council member Cedar; seconded by Council member Hall. Outcome: adopted 6-0.","Milton adopted Ordinance 2106-25 amending the 2025 budget to reflect a TIB grant and personnel adjustments in the police department that defund two corporal positions and reinstate a sergeant and officer, with no net change in headcount.",{"_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},6321128,"Milton council votes to place nonbinding fireworks advisory on November ballot",1532,608000,2140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2351872-7b47ef1c8cb0ecd0e7ebc6910cc33697&start=608&end=2140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2351872-7b47ef1c8cb0ecd0e7ebc6910cc33697/thumbnail_608000.jpg","/articles/6321128/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Milton-council-votes-to-place-nonbinding-fireworks-advisory-on-November-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321128-a70bfb2e79124dd07571812ed66c2a6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095577&Signature=ItuoHPqNp4hl2AY-He8gBQ9eLxOM8BSxzbPRacI1HGKrB3JcU3RpWUZy0TTvEIhu~zEpscdoQLbvi25gmOa21FV9so1c4u6Ydki8~RqgBYzADmfXLHLlwNC2MeVSzCqa~XG1OVut2lXCcf2eRbXjpSiGfkC6rqTGKaN4REx6QJlQVTJ4M9QejuayWxoZgvlat4uQObwRDLpymA3LJ921Pm63k27V1hbNqiKQaTBQuYeQ0fsk4keAduGyVVyePvv9nc3ReKzu0DymbaJGCdwhzOScZS6~4l7Q5XQ4VfX8jbZYaRWfcUSkMBwGYX651A9yJslFeAB8Un98q9vXdOrSew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Milton City Council voted 5-1 on Feb. 18 to approve Resolution 25-1985 and send a nonbinding advisory measure on banning the sale, purchase and use of fireworks to the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

The ballot measure would ask voters whether to prohibit the sale, purchase and use of fireworks in the city. A mayoral-council motion to place the advisory measure on the November ballot was made by Council member White and seconded by Council member Peretti; the motion carried with five votes in favor and one opposed.

Council members and members of the public debated whether a citywide ban would be enforceable, the impact of nearby Puyallup Tribal trust lands, and whether an off-year November ballot would draw enough voter input. Several residents urged a ban; others and some council members said outreach or permitting alternatives should be considered before asking voters to decide.

Resident Jackie Strader said the city should hold more community conversations and surveys before a simple yes/no vote, and asked how enforcement would change if voters approved a ban. Resident Susan Johnson urged Milton to study Edgewood’s permitting approach and recommended permitting for organized displays.

Council member White argued the citizenry should be given a direct voice, citing tradition and public sentiment. Council member Peretti asked staff to ensure the public understands parameters including the fact that some tribal trust parcels that lie adjacent to Milton are not subject to city code. Council member Cedar confirmed with staff that the measure before the council is nonbinding — the council would not be legally required to enforce an advisory vote as written.

Police and public-safety concerns surfaced in council discussion. Members noted the existing code allows fines (a council member referenced a $1,000 fine stated in the code), but several council members and the police chief cautioned that enforcement is often difficult: officers must observe violations in progress, and modern policing constraints and recent case law can limit enforcement options.

City staff estimated minimal additional election costs because municipal candidates will already appear on the November ballot; staff said the city would only be charged for the ballot page, an estimated $2,000 for Pierce County and about $100 for King County. Council members discussed and encouraged public education — Milton Days booths, newsletters and other outreach — before the election.

The council’s action tonight directs city staff to place the advisory question on the Nov. 4 ballot and to develop voter outreach materials. The advisory measure, if approved by voters, would not automatically change city code; council members noted they could still adopt ordinance language later if they chose to make an enforceable ban.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 25-1985 — Motion to place an advisory fireworks ban question on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot. Moved by Council member White; seconded by Council member Peretti. Outcome: approved by council, carried 5-1. The ballot question is explicitly nonbinding.","The Milton City Council voted 5-1 to place Resolution 25-1985, an advisory measure on fireworks sales and use, on the Nov. 4 ballot. Council and public speakers debated enforcement, tribal trust lands, turnout and outreach; staff estimated an added ballot-page cost of about $2,000.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council declares Hill Tower Park play structure surplus, schedules removal and replacement planning

Council adopts first 2025 budget amendment; department staffing and TIB grant included

Milton council votes to place nonbinding fireworks advisory on November ballot