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Residents press council to stream meetings, investigate expo-center trespass and address pickleball noise
Summary
Multiple residents asked the council to stream advisory-board meetings, investigate repeated trespass and damage near the expo center, and address noise from newly striped pickleball lines at Rainier Trails Park; council discussed waiting for new Garrett Park courts before removing lines.
Several members of the public used the comment period to raise neighborhood concerns about meeting access, trespass at an expo center, and noise from pickleball courts.
Sharon Covington, a Stonebrook resident, asked the city to stream meetings of boards and parks groups so residents who cannot attend in person can follow deliberations. "I just think it would be more involved as our city population gets, it grows... it's great for community engagement," she said.
Deanna Miller, who lives adjacent to the expo center parking area, described repeated trespass and fence damage from off-leash dogs and photographers. Miller said she has six months of video and requested police reports; she told the council she felt officers had been dismissive when she raised concerns with law enforcement.
Richard Gardine, speaking for Stonebrook neighbors, said the community is "not opposed to pickleball" but that daily play since May 2025 has produced significant noise for homes located about 30 feet from the court. He noted the parks board voted two weeks earlier to remove the pickleball lines at Rainier Trails Park, and he asked council to discuss removal while new courts are under construction at Garrett Park.
Council members debated the request. Several members, including Council member Storton, supported removing the lines once alternative courts at a refurbished Garrett Park are available; others expressed reluctance to remove public amenities or spend tax dollars on line removal and suggested waiting until the new courts open (resurfacing expected to start May 18). Council agreed to discuss the matter again at its May 18 meeting.
What’s next: Council scheduled further discussion of the pickleball lines for the May 18 meeting; staff will follow up on the expo-center trespass complaint and residents’ requests for greater streaming access.
