Puyallup swears in mayor and names Dean Johnson deputy mayor

Mayor and council swore in newly seated members and the city's mayor at the Jan. 6 meeting, and council members voted to select Dean Johnson as deputy mayor.

Newly sworn deputies and councilmembers offered short remarks about service and priorities. In his inaugural remarks, the mayor said he wants the city to grow thoughtfully and emphasized listening and community engagement, urging residents to ‘‘keep coming, keep checking in on us.’’

Dean Johnson was nominated by the mayor and faced a competing nomination from Councilmember Lauren Adler. After nominations closed, a roll-call vote produced four ayes and three nays; the mayor announced, "Dean Johnson is our new deputy mayor." Johnson later offered a personal statement during his oath and said he wanted to publicly acknowledge his faith, saying, "I would like to publicly and freely acknowledge my faith in Jesus Christ," and requested ceremonial Bible holders for the swearing-in.

The meeting combined ceremonial business with procedural housekeeping: proclamations for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Scouting America, a 15-minute recess for meet-and-greet, and routine consent items. Several former mayors and scouting groups attended the ceremony.

The council's immediate next steps include finalizing committee assignments and returning the two ordinances discussed tonight for second readings at the Jan. 27 meeting.