 Photo credit: K. Zech
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City of Lake Forest Park17425 Ballinger Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
www.cityoflfp.gov
206-368-5440
October 2022 |
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 Mayor Jeff Johnson
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Mayor’s Corner – Community is Important
As you can probably tell from my previous articles and comments, one of the things I feel strongly about is our events like Picnic in the Park, Music in the Park, and the “Save Our Salmon” mural painting project. I think participating in local events helps build and maintain our sense of community, which makes us stronger, together, in the long run.
Despite the smoke and heat that weekend, Picnic in the Park was a success, returning after a two-year absence. Those who attended enjoyed a variety of performances, a petting zoo, booths, food trucks, Public Works Big Rigs, a fire truck, and more.
Held in conjunction with Picnic in the Park, the “Save Our Salmon” mural painting project on the NE 178th culvert bridge brought out over 200 volunteers. They joined 17-year-old high school artist Austin Picinich and the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation, ShoreLake Arts, and Urban ArtWorks, to work on the 188-foot-long "Save Our Salmon" mural. The goal of this “mural with a purpose” is raising awareness for salmon restoration in McAleer Creek. Touchups and an anti-graffiti coat of paint will happen in the next few weeks, but the community paint day was a huge success! Check out the LFP mural webpage.
My thanks to our Public Works crew for getting the park, culvert crossing, traffic control, and more prepped and ready for a successful day!
Watch our website and social media platforms for more information about an October/early November Coffee with the Mayor and the return of the Winter Porchlight Parade partnership with the cities of Bothell, Kenmore, and Shoreline.
--Mayor Johnson
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 Many volunteers helped paint.
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 Almost done!
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 Hank the camel from Picnic in the Park's petting zoo
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 Booths, booths, and more booths!
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 L-R Austin Picinich, Kim Josund, Mayor, Cmbr. Riddle
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 Waiting for the next performer
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 Rosie Schaffer
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A Message from NEMCo Honoring and Remembering Volunteer Rosie Schaffer
It is with great sadness that the Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) wishes to convey the passing of a dedicated volunteer and dear friend, Mrs. Rosie Schaffer. Rosie has been a valued member of the organization for years and, without a doubt, her influence has touched every one of us at some point. With her service to the community covering more than the past 20 years, it is hard to quantify everything she accomplished to improve the lives of the citizens of both Lake Forest Park and Kenmore.
At its meeting on September 22, the Lake Forest Park City Council presented a proclamation to officially recognize Rosie’s service. Rosie will be remembered fondly by so many, and we offer her family our condolences.
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Council Corner - Review of Speed Limits Continues
For the past six months, the City Council has been considering reductions to speed limits on our local roads and state highways.
This work the Council is conducting is very timely and necessary. The reduced traffic during the pandemic has emboldened some drivers to ignore basic courtesy and safety and this has led to a significant increase in unlawful behavior on our roads and state highways. Traffic volume is down, yet infractions are up as well as crashes on a per-trip basis.
The Council is considering a multi-phased approach to setting lower speed limits which begins with the adoption of a speed limit setting methodology as required by state statute.
The methodology the Council has chosen is contained in the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) City Limits document from the summer of 2020. This document recommends a wholistic approach to setting speed limits and prioritizes pedestrian and multi-modal safety.
As recommended in the City Limits document, the City will consider three or more phases to increasing safety on our roads. - Setting default speed limits on many streets at once (such as 25 mph on major streets and 20 mph on all minor neighborhood streets),
- Designating slow zones in sensitive areas, and
- Setting corridor speed limits on high priority major streets, using a safe speed study, which uses conflict density and activity level to set context-appropriate speed limits
Seattle’s approach to lowering speed limits (including lowering speed limits to 20 mph on all neighborhood or local streets) has been very successful. Even without additional enforcement, there has been a dramatic reduction in severe accidents in many locations throughout the city.
It is the Council’s intent to create a speed-setting program that slows drivers down and reflects the character of our community.
We will also be considering traffic calming measures that can be implemented throughout our city. A variety of measures is being discussed, including, but not limited to:
Signalized crosswalks; intersections painted with murals; chicanes and pinch points; traffic circles; speed pillows; curb-separated shoulders and walking paths.
With very limited resources to implement these programs, the Council will be working very closely with the Mayor and Administration to ensure early successes and continued progress on improving pedestrian, bicycle, and multi-modal safety.
It is the intent of the City Council to begin acting on these steps beginning in the month of October. We invite you to send us your feedback and thoughts about speed limits and traffic calming as we move forward with making our community safer for all users of our roadways, paths, and sidewalks.
--Deputy Mayor Tom French
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 Recycling event 2021
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Recycling Collection Event with the City of Kenmore on October 8, 2022!
The Cities of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore are partnering for a combined Recycling Collection Event! 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 event takes place Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Northlake Lutheran Church in Kenmore.
View the event flyer for full details and information.
Items you can bring:
Tires*, Propane Tanks*, Electronic Equipment, Appliances and Scrap Metal*, Cardboard, Porcelain Toilets & Sinks*, Lead Acid & Household Batteries, Mattresses*, Paper Shredding (4 box limit), Clean Bulky Wood, and Refrigerators & Freezers*.
*Fees apply
Please note: No flat beds or dump trucks allowed. We reserve the right to refuse over-sized, commercial, contaminated, excessive, or unacceptable loads.
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 National Night Out 2021
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Entry-level and Lateral Police Officer Openings
The Lake Forest Park Police Department is now hiring entry-level and lateral officers. If you are interested in a law enforcement career or you are considering a lateral move, please check our PD webpage for more information.
We are a community-oriented department committed to keeping Lake Forest Park one of the safest cities in the Pacific Northwest.
Ready for the challenge? Online applications for both entry-level and lateral officer positions can be found here.
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Join the Great ShakeOut on October 20!
Every October 20, on International ShakeOut Day, the Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) joins the world in the largest global earthquake drill. With over 18 million people registered for the 2022 drill, NEMCo Emergency Manager Kevin Lowrey would like to invite the members of our community to ask themselves, if the ground began to shake strongly right now, would you know what to do to be safe? Would your family, neighbors, or coworkers? Are you prepared to survive and recover quickly?
Everyone, everywhere, should know how to protect themselves during earthquakes– at home, at work, at school, or even while traveling. The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is a once-a-year chance for everyone to practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” as well as learn other earthquake safety tips. To join NEMCo and the millions of people in schools, businesses, government agencies, organizations, and homes across the state and around the world, go to ShakeOut.org to register your family or organization. Registration is free, and most drills only take a few minutes. The website also has instructions on how to plan your drill and get prepared for earthquakes.
To kick off the drill, NEMCo will also be testing the Alert Northshore system by sending out a test alert message via text and email at 10:20 a.m. We’re all in this together, so be sure to invite everyone you know to also participate. Then “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” on October 20!
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Plant a Tree This Fall and Help the Environment!
September through November are the best months to plant trees! Planting in the fall gives trees an extra growing season before the stress of summer. Cooler temperatures and rain allow trees to establish their roots, making it easier for them to adjust to extreme heat or drought in the summer. Visit your local nursery and add a new tree to your yard! It's one of the easiest ways to add beauty to your home and support our community and environment.
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LFP Police Department Trains on Use of BolaWrap®
Lake Forest Park Police Officers have a new tool that can be utilized to take individuals safely into custody without having to use force. This tool, called BolaWrap® is a remote restraint device that discharges a Kevlar cord to restrain the legs or arms of uncooperative suspects or nonresponsive persons in crisis while maintaining a distance from the person. This pre-escalation apprehension tool reduces the risk of injury to subjects, officers, and bystanders. During the next few weeks all Lake Forest Park Officers will attend the BolaWrap® training, and they will be authorized to carry and use this new effective tool.
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Recycle Unwanted Linens and Clothing with the Threadcycle Program
Take your unwanted linens and clothing to your local Threadcycle location. Find the drop-off locations here.
Damaged clothes and linens aren’t garbage anymore. Up to 95 percent of the clothes, shoes, and linens thrown in the garbage could have been reused or recycled. Many local organizations want all your clothes, shoes, and linens for reuse or recycling –even damaged items– in any condition except wet, mildewed or contaminated with hazardous materials.
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 LFPPD pink patch
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 Front of coin
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 Back of coin
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Puget Sound Starts Here…Proper Car Maintenance Helps
Keeping local water cleaner can be as easy as making sure your vehicle’s tires have the right air pressure in them. Properly inflated tires don’t wear down as quickly, which means less tire particle pollution ends up washing down the storm drains on the streets and into local streams.
Learn about more vehicle maintenance tips that make a big difference in the health of Puget Sound’s waters here.
#PugetSoundStartsHere
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Helping People and Pets Licensing Campaign
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) is undertaking its latest pet licensing campaign: Helping People and Pets. Licensing your pet promotes the numerous community services the RASKC team offers and the important role licensing plays in funding these efforts: - Animal Control Officers respond to requests for service in our community every day, return lost pets, and are available 24/7 for animal control emergencies.
- Shelter staff provides pet care 365 days a year, adopting out thousands of pets and providing life-saving veterinary care.
- RASKC and other collaborating community partners are continuing to provide pet food assistance for area residents in need.
In addition to purchasing or renewing a King County pet license at Lake Forest Park City Hall, other options are: For more information or other assistance, contact RASKC by phone or email:
Call: 206-296-2712
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 Eagle Scout Park
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City Seeks Volunteers for Positions on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Tree Board, and Library Advisory Committee
Two Vacancies on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board We currently have one regular position vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to fill a partial three-year term that expires on February 28, 2024. The Board meets at City Hall on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
The student representative position on this board is also vacant. If you are interested and are a junior or senior in high school and reside in Lake Forest Park. Terms are three years, but the City anticipates students may only be available to serve for one or two years.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board’s primary responsibilities are to advise the City Council and Mayor on: - Park Master Plan Development
- Recreation Program Evaluation and Development
- Park Comprehensive Planning
One Vacancy on the Tree Board 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.
Tree Board meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. and membership terms are for three years. If you are interested in applying or have questions, please contact City Clerk Matt McLean. One Vacancy on the Library Advisory CommitteeThere is currently one vacancy on the Library Advisory Committee to fill a partial three-year term that expires on February 28, 2025. The Library Advisory Committee serves as a liaison between the Lake Forest Park Library, the Mayor and City Council, the community, and the King County Library System. The Committee meets quarterly in March, June, and September at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month; and on the first Wednesday in December at 7:00 p.m. If you are interested in applying, please contact City Clerk Matt McLean for more information and application information.
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Stay Current on City News, Meetings, and Events
Want to keep up with what’s going on at the City? There are several ways to stay informed. Subscription options include notices of city meetings and events, planning announcements, emergency alerts, city newsflashes, and more! Click here for the full list of subscriptions.
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