City of Lake Forest Park

17425 Ballinger Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
www.cityoflfp.com
206-368-5440

May/June 2022

Mayor Jeff Johnson

Mayor's Corner - It's Our New Normal at City Hall

As we enter the summer season, I am very happy to report that things at the City are settling into our new normal. Events are returning and city council meetings are now held in the new hybrid format.

The May 7 city council retreat was held in person and livestreamed via Zoom.
The city council chambers received some upgrades: a new audio/visual system that allows city council meetings to be held in a hybrid format, the carpet was replaced, and the room even had a fresh coat of paint!
The May 21 Coffee with the Mayor event was very well attended, and plans are in the works to hold another one in the next month or two.
The LFP Farmers Market is back on Sundays through October 16, the LFP Garden Tour and Market returns on June 18, Concert in the Park at Pfingst Animal Acres Park is on June 29, the LFP Police Department is holding a Safety Day event in July (see related article), Battle of the Bands and Family Day at the Farmers Market return in August, and Picnic in the Park is scheduled for September 10!

It was great to see the council in person at the retreat, Coffee with the Mayor, and in the new hybrid council meeting format. Hybrid meetings are very exciting because they expand access to public meetings by allowing people at home to participate via Zoom and people who want to come down to the council chambers to attend in person. While I hope more residents choose to join us in person at council meetings, I appreciate all of you who are attending via Zoom.

Be sure to keep an eye on our website and social media for information about upcoming events as details become available.

--Mayor Johnson

City Seeks Volunteers for the Climate Action Committee and Tree Board

Due to a recent resignation from the Climate Action Committee, the City is seeking volunteers who would like to serve on the Committee. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. and are transitioning to the hybrid format. The purpose of the Climate Action Committee is to gather and analyze climate information and draft a Climate Action Plan for recommendation to the City Council. Terms are for three years. If you are interested in applying or have questions, please contact Environmental and Sustainability Specialist Cory Roche.

The City is also seeking volunteers interesting in filling a vacancy on the Lake Forest Park Tree Board. The Tree Board provides outreach and education to the community on tree-related issues, organizes and facilitates public events involving trees, and provides advice to the City Council on policy and regulatory issues involving trees. Board members should live within the Lake Forest Park city limits, but it is not required. Interests or backgrounds in urban forestry, horticulture, and habitat restoration are encouraged, but not required. Membership terms are for three years. If you are interested in applying or have questions, please contact Assistant Planner Cameron Tuck.

Council Corner – Upcoming Council Business

As I write this column, the temperatures outside have returned to somewhat normal levels after one of the coldest and wettest springs on record. While our weather is improving, it appears that the pandemic is going to continue to challenge us for some time to come. Despite this, after months of incredible work by the City Administration and contractors, and with proper safeguards and technology in place, the City Council was finally able to enjoy meeting in person three times in the past several weeks. I encourage you all to attend a Council Meeting in person or virtual utilizing the City’s advanced hybrid meeting technology.

For the returning Councilmembers it had been more than 26 months since we had met in person; for the three new Councilmembers the first time for us to all be together in person was at our retreat in early May. It is a real pleasure for all of us to sit around a table as a group and enjoy very productive conversations. We have even had a visitor in the Council chambers on two of the occasions!

The months ahead are busy ones for the City Council. Our calendars are going to be filled with the usual business of the City and other important topics:

Minor updates to the tree ordinance –The Council will be considering recommendations made by the Tree Board in a continuing effort to simplify and improve the regulations.

Pedestrian and multimodal safety and lowering speed limits - The Council will be continuing to discuss this topic which was first presented at a recent Committee of the Whole Meeting. In our recent retreat, this topic was clearly at the top of nearly all of each of our lists for near-term improvements in our community. Lowering speed limits, traffic calming, separated walking routes and a neighborhood Healthy Streets program (similar to Seattle’s) are all under consideration by the Council.

Biennial budget – June will begin the kickoff of our very busy full budget season. Look for an upcoming calendar of Budget and Finance Committee meetings where the public is always welcome. With the excellent guidance of the Administration and city staff, our community has weathered the pandemic well, despite very uncertain times and challenging economic stresses. However, this budget will be a lean one, with very little room for additional programs or policies and the community will have to make some tough choices and compromises.

These are just a few of the topics we will be discussing over the coming months, and we all look forward to seeing you in person or virtually at a future meeting.

As always, be well and be gentle on yourselves.

--Deputy Mayor Tom French

Save Time and Postage - Go Online with Your Sewer Bill

If you are sending us a paper check when you pay your sewer bill did you know you can view and pay your sewer bill online? Using the City’s online bill service lets you view and pay your sewer bill, go paperless, set up autopay, and receive notifications when your sewer bill is due.

You can use either an electronic check from your bank (EFT) or a credit card. Using an electronic check from your bank is free. A fee of $3.95 will be assessed by the online service provider (Invoice Cloud) for using a credit card, and there is a limit of $400 per transaction for credit card payments. The information you will need to access the online services is the name on the account (last name is enough) and the account number.

To get started, visit the City’s website, www.cityoflfp.com, and click on the Payments button on the left side of the page.

Case tractor with bucket on front filled with materials to recycle

Recycling Collection Event with the City of Kenmore on June 11, 2022!

The cities of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore are partnering for a combined Recycling Collection Event! Take a look at the Event Flyer to view the full list of what you can and cannot bring. Please be aware fees do apply for certain items. The collection event will take place Saturday, June 11, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Northlake Lutheran Church, 6620 NE 185th St, Kenmore, WA.

Rain barrels are available for $25, cash only, while supplies last. Please provide exact change for purchase of rain barrels and payment of user fees.

Items accepted free of charge include electronic equipment, paper shredding (4 box limit), clean bulky wood, lead acid and household batteries, and cardboard.

The following items are accepted for a fee: tires, propane tanks, appliances and scrap metal, porcelain toilets and sinks, mattresses, and refrigerators and freezers.

Please view the event flyer for full details and information.

Please note: flatbed trucks and dump trucks are not allowed. We reserve the right to refuse oversized, commercial, contaminated, excessive, or unacceptable loads.

City Arborist Harvey Harrison

City Hires New Arborist

The City has hired Harvey Harrison as its new Arborist. His first day was May 16 and he is in the office Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Harvey most recently worked as a utility forester for Asplundh and holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.

Email the City Arborist.

Photo of stream with grassy banks and trees

Streamside Restoration Webinar - June 22, 2022, 6:00 p.m.

Restoration experts from King Conservation District are leading a webinar on June 22 to help you learn how to manage your yard to support both the environment and your own needs.

Curious about what it takes to return your stream, lake, or wetland property to its more natural state? Want to learn ways you can support wildlife, enhance your property’s aesthetics, and reduce maintenance needs? Don’t miss this FREE 1-hour webinar for homeowners living along the water.

For more information and to register, click here.

Three Easy Ways to Manage Moss in Your Lawn without Chemicals

If moss is growing up along with your blades of grass, it doesn’t have to be the boss of your lawn. Check out some easy, chemical-free tips to keep it under control without spending a lot of money or harming the earth under your feet. Explore the "mossibilities" on the King County Hazardous Waste Management Program blog with many other tips and tricks in reducing your chemical exposure.

Photo of dog with thought bubble: I poop, you pick it up, any questions?

Clean Yards and Parks = Clean Shoes and Paws = Clean Waters!

What’s the problem with dog poop? Harmful bacteria can be transmitted from dog waste to children and pets. Landfills are designed to safely handle substances like dog waste, but not our yards and parks! Scoop the poop, bag it, and place it in the trash.

Thanks for remembering Puget Sound Starts Here!

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