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Resident cites '1.4 million gallons' of runoff, asks Puyallup to fix 9th Street stormwater and sinkhole
Summary
At public comment, neighbor Paul Wicklander urged the city to investigate a stormwater failure on 9th Street that he says sent about 1.4 million gallons of turbid runoff into a gully and created a sinkhole beneath a school‑bus route; the mayor asked the city manager for a follow‑up update.
During the public‑comment period of the Puyallup City Council’s April 14 meeting, resident Paul Wicklander told the council he was speaking on behalf of neighbors about an infrastructure failure on 9th Street between 18th and 15th Avenues tied to heavy March rains.
Wicklander described a gully and culvert configuration he said was originally a storm channel and stated, “I’m not exaggerating about 1.4 million gallons of turbid runoff,” and warned that a sinkhole created by the damage could pose a hazard to school buses that use the route.
He said city storm‑water mapping appears to show a trunk line that stops at 18th and a blind tee that directs water into the gully. Wicklander asked the council to consider repairs and for the city to inspect the sinkhole and the affected culvert.
Mayor Ned Whitting acknowledged the testimony and asked City Manager Kirkley for follow‑up. Kirkley replied that the city is looking into the issue and staff would provide an update to council.
What the council did: No formal action or funding decision was taken at the meeting; the city manager acknowledged the concern and staff will investigate and report back to council with findings and recommended repairs if warranted.
