Maple Valley council approves consent calendar, adopts school impact fee ordinance and sets 2026 priorities

Mayor Sean P. Kelly called the Maple Valley City Council to order at 6:35 p.m. on Oct. 27, 2025, at Lake Wilderness Lodge. Councilmember Victoria Schroff led the Pledge of Allegiance. The council approved the evening's agenda on a motion by Deputy Mayor Dana Parnello, seconded by Councilmember Didem Pierson; the motion carried 7-0.

A brief public comment included an introduction from Sean Penwell, who identified himself as the new Fire Chief for Puget Sound Fire serving Maple Valley. The council issued a proclamation recognizing Lake Wilderness Arboretum and Make A Difference Day.

The council approved the consent calendar, which included minutes from Oct. 13 and Oct. 20, vendor and benefit checks and wire transfers totaling $2,610,616.12, and several administrative resolutions. Among the items adopted under consent was Ordinance O-25-862, which adopts the Tahoma School District 2025'to'2030 Capital Facilities Plan and establishes school impact fees to be collected by the City on behalf of the district.

Lobbyist Jim Hedrick reviewed the proposed 2026 legislative priorities. On a motion from Councilmember Didem Pierson, seconded by Councilmember Les Burberry, the council adopted Resolution R-25-2014 establishing the city's 2026 legislative priorities; the vote was 7-0. The council also reviewed and approved Resolution R-25-2015, setting council priorities for 2026, on a motion from Councilmember Syd Dawson seconded by Mayor Kelly; that motion carried 7-0.

On land-use matters, Planning Commission Chair Zach Midles provided a handoff on a CB-near-residential zoning amendment. Economic and Community Development Director Doug McIntyre and Community Development Manager Matt Torpey reintroduced proposed amendments concerning CB zoning abutting residential zones and allowed uses in the PRO and NB zones; staff said the item will return to a future meeting for further discussion.

Mayor Kelly briefly introduced a topic described as "Meshtastic communications" and requested the Public Safety Oversight Committee review it; no substantive policy action was taken at the meeting.

City Manager'level updates included that Lake Wilderness Lodge had been operating on generator power after a fallen tree over the weekend and that a water leak at City Hall was being handled by the landlord. The manager also noted the Kindness Connects program will begin soon.

Council business included reminders about the Gnome Town Holiday Reception and committee assignments. Council voted to extend the meeting to 9:29 p.m. on a motion by Councilmember Victoria Schroff, seconded by Councilmember Syd Dawson; the motion carried 7-0. Councilmember Syd Dawson requested a discussion of the city proclamation process; Councilmember Didem Pierson announced Volunteer Appreciation Night on Dec. 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Deputy Mayor Parnello reported that Make A Difference Day was successful.

The council announced a Special Meeting/Study Session for Nov. 3, 2025, at Lake Wilderness Lodge and adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Agenda approval: motion by Deputy Mayor Dana Parnello; seconded by Councilmember Didem Pierson. Result: carried, 7-0. (SEG 006) - Consent calendar approval (minutes, payments, contracts, resolutions, and Ordinance O-25-862 adopting the Tahoma School District Capital Facilities Plan): motion carried, 7-0. Payment total listed at $2,610,616.12. (SEG 009'SEG 016) - Resolution R-25-2014 (2026 legislative priorities): motion carried, 7-0. (SEG 022) - Resolution R-25-2015 (2026 council priorities): motion carried, 7-0. (SEG 024) - Motion to extend meeting to 9:29 p.m.: motion carried, 7-0. (SEG 038)

Who spoke (first reference with title) Mayor Sean P. Kelly; Deputy Mayor Dana Parnello; Councilmembers Victoria Schroff, Les Burberry, Didem Pierson, John Herbert and Syd Dawson; Sean Penwell, Fire Chief, Puget Sound Fire; Zach Midles, Planning Commission Chair; Jim Hedrick, lobbyist; Doug McIntyre, Economic and Community Development Director; Matt Torpey, Community Development Manager; Antin, Finance Director; City Clerk Andrew Dacuag; City Attorney Patricia Taraday; Parks & Recreation Director/Assistant City Manager Dave Johnson.

Next steps and follow-ups - Ordinance O-25-863 (2026 property tax levy) was the subject of a public hearing that opened and closed with no public comment; staff will return with the ordinance for adoption at a future meeting. (SEG 018) - Zoning amendments for CB abutting residential zones and allowed uses in PRO and NB zones will return for additional review and action. (SEG 028'SEG 029) - Meshtastic communications referred to the Public Safety Oversight Committee for consideration. (SEG 030'SEG 031) - The council will consider the finance director's introduction of the 2026 property tax ordinance at the next regular business meeting. (SEG 026'SEG 027)

Clarifying details - Vendor and benefit checks, wire transfers and EFTs approved under consent totaled $2,610,616.12. (SEG 010) - Ordinance O-25-862 adopts Tahoma School District's 2025'2030 Capital Facilities Plan and establishes school impact fees to be collected by the city on the district's behalf; document text and fee schedule details were part of the consent packet (no separate discussion at the meeting). (SEG 016) - Volunteer Appreciation Night: Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m. ' 8:30 p.m. (SEG 043)

Proper names mentioned Maple Valley; Lake Wilderness Lodge; Puget Sound Fire; Tahoma School District; King County; Lake Wilderness Arboretum; Exeltech Consulting Inc.; BP Construction, LLC; Planning Commission; Gnome Town Holiday Reception.