Showing posts with label city council LFP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label city council LFP. Show all posts

Lake Forest Park imposes a hiring freeze

Monday, April 20, 2020

Revenues are down
from traffic cams


By Tracy Furutani

The city of Lake Forest Park will not be filling any vacant positions, nor will they be hiring any seasonal workers this year, according to city administrator Phillip Hill.

This action was taken in anticipation of a significant reduction in the city’s revenue due to the effects of the pandemic, he said, “the passport office has been closed since early March, sales tax is anticipated to be reduced by at least 20% and gas tax revenue by up to 80% while we all stay home.”

The business and occupation tax revenue, traffic safety camera payments and construction permit fees are expected to significantly decrease, according to city finance director Lindsey Vaughn at a City Council Budget and Finance Committee meeting last Thursday.

There were some bright spots.

“Cash flow [from property tax] is coming as normal to date,” said Vaughn, adding “as far as the real estate excise tax…we are pretty confident that we will meet that [revenue goal] by the end of the year.”

“We have made a tactical choice as a council that this is not the right time to seek new revenues,” said committee chair and council member John Resha. He cautioned between that and the loss of revenue, that the city’s paving and street management would be affected.

In addition to the hiring freeze, all city travel and training are suspended, unless it is needed for required certifications or would impact critical services. Further, previously contracted work may be suspended pending evaluation by the city.




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Lake Forest Park City Council Committee of the Whole meets Monday on Zoom

Saturday, April 18, 2020

LFP City Hall is closed
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The City Council Committee of the Whole will meet on Monday, April 20, 2020 at 6pm

City Hall is currently closed and this meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom.

See the bottom of the agenda for instructions on how to participate.

Topics to be covered:
  1. Project Updates – City Administrator Phillip Hill 
  2. Planning Commission Update and Anticipated Council Work Plan – Councilmember Tom French 
  3. Budget and Finance Committee Update – Councilmember John Resha 
  4. Legislative Committee Update regarding Federal Assistance for Small Cities 
  5. King County Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C) Joint Commitment Letter, first touch


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Lake Forest Park suspends plastic bag ban

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Used plastic bags in recycling bin

By Tracy Furutani

The Lake Forest Park City Council approved the suspension of the city’s plastic bag and non-compostable food service container ban during Thursday’s video meeting. 

The ordinance passed 5 to 2, which means that the suspension will take effect immediately. 

The fee charged for paper bags would also be suspended.

Mayor Jeff Johnson, who sponsored the legislation under emergency authority, said he was motivated by the experience of the manager of the Albertson’s supermarket trying to juggle customers bringing reusable grocery bags and employees risking viral exposure handling those bags.

Councilmember Mark Phillips thought the suspension of the whole ban was too broad, and argued for narrowing the scope of the suspension to only the plastic bag ban. 

“Using Styrofoam…instead of a recyclable box is somehow less exposure to the virus I don’t think that’s the case, certainly not in the same way that... reusable bag use might create an exposure hazard that single-use plastic carry-out bags would not.”

Ultimately, the suspension of the entirety of the original ordinance was approved.

“This is one small gesture we can make to our local businesses,” said Deputy Mayor and Councilmember Phillippa Kassover in favor of the suspension. 
“Let’s give them a break… and then let’s get back to normal, and back to our values, and reinstate [the ban].” 
She later stated, “I hope this suspension of the single use plastics ban will be very short and will ask council to reconsider just as soon as deemed wise by our public health authorities.”



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March 26 LFP City Council regular meeting to be held virtually

Thursday, March 26, 2020

City Hall is closed and council meetings
will be held virtually.
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Due to the recent closure of the LFP City Hall to the public and most City staff, and the order that meetings for civic purposes are not to be held in-person, the City has explored options for holding the March 26 and April 9 regular meetings virtually.

The March 26 meeting will be held via Zoom and public comments must be submitted electronically.

On the agenda are authorizations for the mayor to sign contracts for construction of a picnic shelter in Pfingst Animal Acres and for construction of the L60 culvert. Council will discuss contracting with Madrona Law Group for legal services.

Public Comment Procedures for Virtual Meetings:

If you wish to provide public comment virtually, you may do so by submitting a written statement to evelyn@cityoflfp.com. Any comments received by 5:00pm the day of the meeting will be read during the public comment period.

To ensure your comments are received and read at the proper meeting, your email must include:
  • The name of the group that is meeting (City Council or Planning Commission)
  • Date of the meeting your comments are intended for
  • Your name
  • Whether or not you live in the city limits of Lake Forest Park
  • Agenda Item and/or subject your comments refer to

Emails without this information may not be read at the meeting. Three minutes are allowed for comment. And, in accordance with normal procedure, messages of an overly repetitive or inappropriate (vulgarity) nature may be declined to be read at the discretion of the meeting Chair.

Check the City’s online Meetings Calendar for the most up-to-date information about individual meetings.

Questions? Email the City Clerk’s Office.

Instructions for participating in the Virtual City Council Regular meeting on March 26, at 7:00pm are HERE



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LFP regular council meeting Thursday but work session cancelled

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Lake Forest Park City Hall
Photo by Steven H Robinson
The Lake Forest Park City Council will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 7pm, at City Hall.

The scheduled work session has been cancelled.

Councilmembers will hear the Covid-19 proclamation, review the minutes, pay the bills, hear reports, then go into executive session on pending litigation.

Residents can watch council deliberations on a live stream here. Recordings of meetings will eventually be posted at the same location.

Email all the city councilmembers at once: citycouncil@cityoflfp.com
and the mayor: mayor@cityoflfp.com



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Lake Forest Park council meetings will happen as planned

Friday, March 6, 2020

Update on City Meetings – Week of March 9

Lake Forest Park currently anticipates holding City Council meetings the week of March 9.

The LFP Planning Commission meeting Mar 12 will take place.

General advice:
  • We urge anyone who is sick to not attend.
  • We encourage those who are at higher risk for Coronavirus (COVID-19) to not attend.
  • If you do choose to attend, as much as possible, please give each other more physical space, so that you are not in close contact with each other.
  • Maintain good healthy habits, such as frequent hand washing.
Other Options for Lake Forest Park:

There will be no Shoreline City Council meeting March 9 because Councilmembers will be attending the National League of Cities Conference in Washington DC. The next Council meeting will be Monday March 16, 2020.



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LFP City Council approves extension of moratorium on Town Center zoning changes

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Parcel map of Town Center
The Lake Forest Park City Council unanimously approved the extension of the moratorium on changes in zoning to the Town Center property last Thursday night.

The original moratorium, approved last September, was set to expire in mid-March, and the approved ordinance extends that until mid-September.

The city Planning Commission has been holding extra meetings during the original moratorium, gathering public comments and debating different ways of accommodating various stakeholders as they consider changes to the property’s zoning, according to City Councilmember John Wright.

The Mayor and many Councilmembers praised the work of the Planning Commission, and, in a separate action, re-appointed incumbent commissioners T.L. Fudge, Rachael Katz, and Ira Gross for another four-year term.

“We don’t need to become the same thing as the communities on either side [of Lake Forest Park] have become, with their high-density zoning,” said one resident during the public comment period. 

This sentiment was echoed by all but one of the roughly dozen spoken and written comments that the city received. The lone comment opposing the moratorium extension was presented by a representative of Seattle King County Realtors, an industry association. There was no comment from Merlone-Geier Partners, the owners of Town Center.

--Tracy Furutani



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Public hearing Thursday re moratorium on Town Center Zone Development

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Town Center land parcels
King County iMap

The Lake Forest Park City Council has scheduled a public hearing on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at 7:00pm, in the City Council Chambers, to consider an ordinance extending the six-month moratorium on Town Center Zone Development.

In September 2019, the City Council adopted Ordinance 1197, placing a six-month moratorium on all properties located within the Town Center Zone in regard to acceptance, processing, and/or approval of clear and grade permit, building permit, subdivision, short subdivision, bind site plan, conditional use permit, variance, or any other type of development permit or approval for any proposed land use(s) or structure(s) located within the Town Center zone.

Although the Planning Commission has held an extra meeting each month since the moratorium was put in place, additional time is needed to fully consider amendments to the existing land use code.

The proposed six-month extension would provide the Planning Commission the time needed to complete and provide its recommended changes to the City Council and allow sufficient time for the Council to consider those recommendations.

Interested parties are invited to attend and comment during the upcoming public hearing. To review the agenda materials for this item, click here.



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LFP Council CoW meets Monday; LFP Planning Commission Tuesday

Monday, February 24, 2020

The Lake Forest Park City Council Committee of the Whole will meet Monday, February 24, 2020 at 6pm in the Lake Forest room of City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way, to discuss the following:


  1. Update from Planning Commission
  2. Update on Regional Transportation Funding
  3. Governance Manual Discussion

The Lake Forest Park Planning Commission will meet Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 7pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

They will continue: 
  • Final review of freestanding parking structure regulations
  • Final review of administration (design review) and development agreement
  • provisions

And the Discussion of freestanding parking structure design guidelines






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LFP council considering ban on single use plastic

Saturday, February 8, 2020

At its meeting on Monday, February 10, 2020, the Lake Forest Park City Council Committee of the Whole (CoW) will discuss a ban on single use plastic

Also on the agenda for discussion:

  1. Sales Tax for Affordable Housing
  2. B / O Tax Update
  3. Agenda for Council Retreat
  4. Sign Pledge to Support Earth Day 2020

The meeting will be held in the Lake Forest room of City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE at 6pm.



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LFP City Council meets Thursday

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

LFP City Hall
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Lake Forest Park City Council meeting

Thursday, January 23, 2020, 7pm, LFP City Hall Council Chambers, 17425 Ballinger Way NE.

On the agenda:

Ordinances and Resolutions 
  • Resolution 1659/Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the Professional Services Agreement with V+M Structural Design for Separated Grade Crossing Study
  • Resolution 1660/Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the Professional Services Agreement and Annual Maintenance Agreement with Springbrook to Update the City’s Financial Software System 
Action or Discussion
  • Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) Update
  • Council Committee Appointments 
  • Discussion Regarding Sales and Use Tax for Affordable and Supporting Housing in Accordance with Substitute House Bill 1406 (Chapter 338, Laws of 2019)


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LFP Council Elects Deputy Mayor and Council Vice-Chair

Friday, January 17, 2020

At its regular meeting on January 9, 2020, the Lake Forest Park City Council elected Councilmember Phillippa Kassover as Deputy Mayor and Council Chair for a two-year term, through 2021.

She holds Position 4.

Councilmember Tom French was elected as Council Vice-Chair, for a two-year term, through 2021. He holds Position 6.

In addition to Kassover and French, the council includes:

Position 1 Semra Riddle
Position 2 Lorri Bodi
Position 3 John Wright
Position 5 Mark Phillips
Position 7 John Resha

The Mayor, Jeff Johnson, was elected separately by a vote of the people. Deputy Mayor/Council Chair and Council Vice-Chair are elected by councilmembers.



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State Department of Commerce grant will fund study of new crossing of Bothell Way

Saturday, January 11, 2020

LFP City Hall
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

By Tracy Furutani 

The Lake Forest Park City Council approved unanimously the acceptance of funds for the preliminary design of a new crossing of State Route 522 (Bothell Way) near the Lake Forest Park Town Center at the regular council meeting Thursday night.

The $490,000 grant, administered by the state Department of Commerce, would pay for a study to determine different options for a grade-separated crossing, meaning an underpass or an overpass, according to Donnelle Dayao, the city project manager.

The goal of the overall project, she said, was to find “a quicker and safer method of crossing SR 522.” Council member and new council vice-chair Tom French said that the two current crossings, at Ballinger Way NE and at Beach Dr. NE, record a thousand crossings on a summer day.

“This is the first step of the first step,” said council member John Resha, who noted that this part of the project would be followed by the city applying for grants for the building phase once the final design of the project was determined.

New council member Lorri Bodi hoped that the council and Lake Forest Park residents would be kept apprised of progress on the designs, even as this study was being carried out.

City administrator Phillip Hill said the timeline for this preliminary design phase would be approximately six months, and result in a final report by a consulting firm outlining different options for the crossing, along with maintenance issues and construction costs. 

"It’s about feasibility [of the project] as much as anything else,” said council member and new deputy mayor Phillippa Kassover. 




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Putting the "Lake" in Lake Forest Park: City to acquire lakefront property for park

Saturday, December 14, 2019

New park for Lake Forest Park
Photo from Windermere listing


By Tracy Furutani
Special to Shoreline Area News

The Lake Forest Park City Council approved the acquisition of two acres of waterfront property on Lake Washington for a city park. The site, located at 17345 and 17347 Beach Drive, is currently on the market for $5 million. This purchase would be the latest in a series of parkland acquisitions by the city over the last two years.

The environmental advocacy organization Forterra (formerly Cascade Land Conservancy) will hold the right to purchase the land for two years, during which time Lake Forest Park will marshal funds to purchase the property, according to city administrator Phillip Hill.

Half of the land’s price will come from the King County Parks Levy, which county voters approved in August, he said. The immediate cost to the city is a $250,000 opportunity fee, for which there will be a budget amendment proposed in January.

Council member John Resha introduced the park acquisition resolution, and he credited King County Council Chair Rod Dembowski for his assistance in this project. Local resident Mike Dee was also acknowledged for his role in gathering information.



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Reception for Deputy Mayor Catherine Stanford on Thursday Dec 12

Monday, December 9, 2019

Deputy Mayor Catherine Stanford
to be honored at a reception Thursday

The public is invited to join the City Council at a reception in honor of Deputy Mayor Catherine Stanford at City Hall on Thursday, December 12, 2019, at 6pm.

This is a chance for the community to wish Deputy Mayor Stanford well and to thank her for her many years of service to the City of Lake Forest Park.

Light refreshments will be served. After the reception, the City Council will honor Deputy Mayor Stanford with a proclamation at the beginning of the regular business meeting at 7pm.

City Hall is located on the northwest corner of Town Center, 17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.



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Shoreline voters retain their Deputy Mayor and Lake Forest Park voters retire theirs

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Shoreline City Council 2020

From left: standing: Keith Scully, Chris Roberts, Betsy Robertson, Keith McGlashan, Susan Chang
seated: Deputy Mayor Doris McConnell, Mayor Will Hall


Shoreline Deputy Mayor Doris McConnell has retained her seat on the Shoreline City Council. She is joined by Betsy Robertson, who was elected to the position she was appointed to in January, and Keith Scully who also won reelection.

Other councilmembers, who were not up for reelection this cycle, are Mayor Will Hall, Chris Roberts, Keith McGlashan, and Susan Chang.

In Lake Forest Park, Lorri Bodi will take a seat on the council in 2020. She will join Tom French and Phillippa Kassover, who were both reelected, as well as Semra Riddle, John Wright, Mark Phillips, and John Resha, who were not up for reelection.

Bodi defeated Deputy Mayor Catherine Stanford for a council seat.

In Shoreline, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are elected to two year terms at the first meeting of even-numbered years. They are elected by the other councilmembers.

In Lake Forest Park, the Deputy Mayor is elected at the first meeting of even numbered years. As a Mayor-Council form of government, the Mayor is elected separately from councilmembers by a vote of the people. The Deputy Mayor is elected by the other councilmembers for a two year term.

Mayor Jeff Johnson ran unopposed and will continue as the Mayor of Lake Forest Park.



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Lake Forest Park city council meetings Thursday

City Hall, Lake Forest Park
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
The Lake Forest Park City Council will hold a work session on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 6pm in the Lake Forest room of City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way NE.

Agenda:

  1. State Legislative Update, Shelly Helder, Gordon Thomas Honeywell-Governmental Affairs
  2. Discussion on Amending the Business and Occupation Tax Ordinance, Lindsey Vaughn, Finance Director
  3. Planning Commission Process Update, Steve Bennett, Planning Director
The regular council meeting will begin at 7pm in the Council Chambers.

They will consider and possibly take action on the following:
  • Biennial budget amendment
  • Sewer rates for 2020
  • Property Tax levy for 2020
  • Amend the Business and Occupation tax
  • User fees for 2020
  • Sales and use tax for affordable and supportive housing, per legislative action
  • Interlocal agreement with Yakima county for IT services
Meetings are streamed live and then archived on the city council webpage. Agendas are also available at this site.



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Three city councils to hold joint meeting Monday

Monday, October 28, 2019

The workshop will be held at Shoreline City Hall
Photo by Mike Remarcke
The city councils of Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, and Shoreline will hold a special workshop dinner meeting on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 5:45pm at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Rm 303.

On the agenda:
  • City Updates
  • North-end Shelters to Support those Experiencing Homelessness
  • Sound Transit 3 STRIDE - SR 522/523 Bus Rapid Transit
  • Initiative 976 – Local Actions and Response
  • Federal and State Legislative Priorities
Council meetings are open to the public.



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LFP Council Thursday: Public Hearings on budget revisions and property tax levy

Monday, October 21, 2019

Lake Forest Park City Hall
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
The Lake Forest Park city council meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2019, 7pm, City Hall Council Chambers 17425 Ballinger Way NE will include two public hearings.

PUBLIC HEARING – Mid-Biennial Budget Revisions (Each speaker has three minutes to comment)

PUBLIC HEARING – Establishing the Property Tax Levy for 2020 (Each speaker has three minutes to comment)

On the agenda are amendments to the noise ordinance and continuation of the contract with a federal lobbyist.

New police lieutenants and officers will be sworn in at the beginning of the meeting.
  • Lieutenant Rhonda Lehman
  • Lieutenant Diego Zanella
  • Officer Meagan Coombs
  • Officer Jess Brecht
New Police Lieutenant. Diego Zanella comes from the University of Washington Police Dept, where he was working as the Patrol Commander. 

Lt. Zanella worked for the UWPD the last two years and prior to that, worked for Issaquah Police Dept for 10 years. He has a master’s degree in Criminal Justice and is a Veteran of the Italian Military.

The meeting agenda can be downloaded here. A tab at the top of the page "Related Docs" holds links to the documents presented to Council for the meeting.

Meetings are streamed live and then eventually archived on the web page.


Upcoming city meetings:

City Council Joint Meeting with Shoreline and Kenmore Councils
October 28, 2019, 5:45pm - 6:45pm @ Shoreline City Hall
Tree Board Meeting
November 6, 2019, 7:00pm - 9:00pm @ City Hall
City Council Budget and Finance Committee Special Meeting
November 7, 2019, 6:00pm -  8:00pm @ City Hall
City Hall Closed (Veteran's Day Holiday)
November 11, 2019

Planning Commission Meeting
November 12, 2019, 7:00pm  - 9:00pm



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Notes from LFP City Council candidate forum

Friday, October 18, 2019

Candidates on the stage, from left Lorri Bodi (standing), Catherine Stanford,
Phillippa Kassover, Tom French, Tracy Furutani. At the podium is LWV
moderator Amanda Clark
Photo by Mike Remarcke


On Tuesday, October 15, 2019 Third Place Commons held a forum with candidates for Mayor and City Council. Around 110 people came to hear what they had to say. The moderator, Amanda Clark, and timekeeper were from the Mercer Island League of Women Voters.

City of Lake Forest Park, Mayor
Jeff Johnson - incumbent, unopposed
City of Lake Forest Park, Council Position 2
Catherine Stanford - incumbent
Lorri Bodi - challenger
City of Lake Forest Park, Council Position 4
Phillippa Kassover - incumbent
Brett Newsham - no show
City of Lake Forest Park, Council Position 6
Tom French - incumbent
Tracy Furutani - challenger

Mayor Johnson is running unopposed, so he gave a report and left the stage to the council candidates. Brett Newsham, who filed against Phillippa Kassover, was a no-show.

Mayor Johnson said that when he won a tough election for Mayor eight years ago, he thought he knew everything. The reality is very different and he appreciates the opportunity to spend four more years in the office. The city is doing well. This is an important election. This council will be dealing with big issues, including decisions for mall and parking garage.

Attendees browsed the tables of information before the forum.
Photo by Mike Remarcke


Position #2

Catherine Stanford appreciates that LFP is different. She said that we have the challenge of being a small city in the middle of the fastest growing area in the county and we need to accept the challenge. Her strengths are her experience with council and community and relationships outside of the city.

Lorri Bodi said it's time for a change. We need a new voice on the council. She was an environmental attorney for NOAA. She has worked with the PTA, and in her job negotiated with state and local agencies and tribes on water and stormwater issues. She can manage budgets and negotiate. She said that the city process has been complicated and hard to follow.

Position #4

Phillippa Kassover talked about finding LFP over 12 years ago and how happy she is with a community full of smart, engaged people. As a councilmember she reads, researches and asks the tough questions. She said that council needs to do better to help people learn what we do.

Position #6

Tom French has lived in LFP for 50 years. He went to Brookside, Kellogg, and Shorecrest. He said that growth needs to be in line with our values. He would accept 150-200 apartments at Town Center. He strongly supported the September moratorium. His priority is public safety for pedestrians and bicyclists and he advocated for the first new sidewalk in LFP. He is a champion for the environment and the values of LFP.

Tracy Furutani filed in part because feels that races should be opposed. He is most concerned about the climate crisis and thinks solutions should start at the municipal level, that they will percolate up to state and federal levels. How can we preserve what we have for our kids in the future?

Question: In the redevelopment of Town Center how would you protect Third Place Commons (TPC)?

Tom: we need to talk to Merlone Geier Partners (MGP). If that doesn't work, the community needs to step up.

Tracy: we don't want to alienate MGP - they could just walk away. The city buying the land is the only way to have what we want. Otherwise we have to negotiate carefully.

Phillippa: we have a partnership with MGP and need to work together to preserve TPC.

Catherine: I will fight to keep The Commons and the farmers market in LFP. She was instrumental in getting the market started.

Lorri: The Commons keeps our community unique. MGP should be our first effort. The agreement says that MGP has to provide 10,000 ft of indoor and 10,000 ft of outdoor space.

From left: Lorri Bodi, Phillippa Kassover, Tom French,
Tracy Furutani. Out of frame, Catherine Stanford.
Photo by Mike Remarcke


Question: PSRC recently reclassified LFP as a Small to High Capacity Transit City. Do you support this reclassification?

Lorri: We are doing a good job of meeting the GMA (Growth Management Act) objectives for 2035. There are opportunities to do more over time so we can grow in balance and in scale with our values.

Catherine: She doesn't support LFP being a high capacity city. LFP was put in that category because of the Bus Rapid Transit. She's on the PSRC Executive Board and will tell them what we will tolerate.

Phillippa: We are the culmination of two watersheds and sitting on an aquifer. We are the last remaining urban forest in the area. These sensitive areas can't tolerate much more growth.

Tracy: No. He said he's horrified that we were put in that category.

Tom: He agrees with all of Vision 2050 from PSRC. Bothell Way has capacity for growth.

Question: What are your plans for keeping small businesses in the area, particularly Town Center?

Phillippa: MGP is the landlord. We don't control what goes on here. We need to build a good relationship and partner with MGP to encourage them to bring in the businesses we want.

Catherine: We need to keep the small businesses and encourage more. Council discusses it a lot. Small businesses have challenges and struggle.

Lorri: Town Center is the community hub and so much more. The City needs to make its expectations very clear and not be a pushover when it comes to our values.

Tom: We need to work with MGP and as a community to incentivize the small businesses. We created zoning to allow specific businesses in a special area, which creates walkability.

Tracy: Businesses need to pay for licensing and B/O taxes. We need to look into the city regulations and make them less onerous.

Question: The environmental impact statement was flawed and driven by development interest. Comment.

Tom: the DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement) needs to be reflective of our values. It's critical to adhere to the vision statement. We need more conversations with the public.

Tracy: The council needs to communicate what's going on with the process.

Phillippa: For the DEIS the developer asked the consultant for studies of 1500, 1000, and 700 new apartments. There was no other input so that's what they studied.

Catherine: The DEIS was a shock to everyone. We don't have to listen to the consultant. The Planning Commission makes recommendations and the council decides.

Lorri: The DEIS process was seriously flawed. There should have been some direction from mayor and council and a wider range of options studied. The "no change" option was for 700 units.

110 people attended the forum
Photo by Mike Remarcke


Question: Would you support a parks bond to improve parks and acquire more land?

Catherine: I would support one if other groups would partner, as was done with 5 Acre Woods.

Lorri: We are Lake Forest Park with no access to the lake and few parks. She wants to expand and improve parks but would explore other options before going to a bond issue.

Phillippa: We are underserved for families and it's a tragedy that we have no lake access. A bond is premature. We need to study and seek outside funding.

Tom: we opened a fund for open space and trails. A bond issue is on the table but we don't want to shortchange public safety and other priorities.

Tracy: Bonds are expensive and have to be paid back. More parks would require staff to maintain them. Can't rely on volunteers only. We have to make sure we can maintain what we acquire.

Question: You want a walkable city but our streets are unwalkable and very dangerous. Would you put in sidewalks?

Tracy: Sidewalks are needed but we have to prioritize. Need to find outside money. And would we take people's property?

Tom: Need to separate traffic from where people walk. As the region grows there will be more traffic and people need to be safe.

Phillippa: the Safe Streets study was very revealing. Safe routes to school need to be the highest priority. We need to set our priorities and work on a long term funding plan.

Lorri: When the transit stations open we will have people driving through LFP to get there. We need to find funding sources and do what we can, like lower the speed limits.

Catherine: The council included Safe Streets as one of the Big 5 projects. There's a list of priorities but these are expensive issues. Safe routes to school is the first priority.

Question: What would you do to improve communication with citizens?

Incumbent councilmembers pointed out that they cannot speak for the council until a vote is taken, only for themselves. The City Administration is different and council doesn't control it. The city has no communication department - they were let go in the downturn and have not been replaced. They need to have a communications strategy and staff it. Perhaps hold quarterly town meetings.

Challengers mentioned Seattle's Office of Neighborhoods, office hours for councilmembers, meetings with neighbors and community.

Question: What does our city do to meet the climate challenge?

Phillippa: The city joined the C4C - Caring for Climate organization which helps municipal leaders take steps on climate action. We need to look at the city's carbon footprint, take steps to reduce it, then reach out to everyone to do the same.

Tracy: The C4C has assessable, measurable goals. We can create ordinances about zoning, better building practices, and reducing our carbon footprint.

Tom: Our tree canopy has actually increased a bit in in the last few years. We need to work as a community to reduce our footprint.

Lorri: We can use examples from other cities - change building codes, use alternate energy like solar cells.

Catherine: We have tree ordinances that protect our canopy. Trees pull carbon out of the air. Automobiles create the most carbon and Sound Transit and public transit will get people out of their cars. We have set backs from our streams.

Ballots have been mailed out and are due back by November 5. There is a drop box for ballots by City Hall and no postage is required to mail in ballots.




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