City of Lake Forest Park

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

February 2023

Mayor Jeff Johnson

Mayor’s Corner – Sound Transit Update – Public Involvement – Volunteer Opportunities

As we begin 2023 a topic of much conversation is around the Sound Transit Bus Rapid Transit project (Stride) along the Bothell Way (SR 522) corridor. In December of last year the Council passed a motion urging the Sound Transit Board to pause the project for 90-days “in order to hear our citizens' concerns and work directly with the City and our community to develop new design refinements, including: 1) significant reductions in the amount of tree canopy destruction and property acquisitions; 2) to better address and improve mitigation plans for noise, tree removal, and environmental impacts; and 3) to rethink and reimagine the retaining wall design, safety, and landscaping.”

As your Mayor, I agree with and support this motion and have directed city staff to continue their efforts to make sure this project respects the unique character of our community and sensitive environment through which it passes. We are Lake Forest Park, that is not just a name, but a reflection of who we are and what we hold dear. While there remains much work to be done, this administration will stay engaged with the community and Sound Transit to make this the best project possible within the boundaries of our city.

I want everyone to know how much I appreciate the community involvement in this process and making sure your voices are heard by Sound Transit. Your support helps to strengthen our message by showing that your elected officials are truly representing the community.

On that note, if you have been thinking about becoming more involved and taking a role in improving your community, there are still vacancies on the Planning Commission, Tree Board, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and Library Advisory Committee. These positions offer something for just about everyone who wants to give back to the LFP community!

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board also has an opening for a high school student representative. The Board meets at City Hall at 7:00 p.m., on the fourth Wednesday of the month; in person or online meeting options are available.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board’s primary responsibilities are to advise the Mayor and City Council on:

Park Master Plan Development
Recreation Program Evaluation and Development
Park Comprehensive Planning

This will be a busy year for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, as the City begins a comprehensive master plan of our parks, future park properties, yoga in the parks, and other activities! Please contact Environmental and Sustainability Specialist Cory Roche with inquiries.

If you are interested in applying for any of our advisory bodies, please complete the online application form.

More information about the roles, duties, and meeting days and times for all our boards, commissions, and committees is on our website. Full terms are three years; some vacant positions are for partial terms. For a list of vacancies and term expirations click here. If you have questions, reach out to us at 206-368-5440.

We look forward to hearing from you!

--Mayor Johnson

Have You Ever Wanted to Help Decide How Your Stormwater and Surface Water Utility Fees are Spent?

The City of Lake Forest Park wants YOUR feedback and is hosting a Virtual Public Meeting through February 17, 2023. This effort is part of the City’s Stormwater Management Action Planning process. Use this link to participate and make your voice heard!

People looking at virtual open house information

New to virtual public meetings? Think of it as an “online open house” where you can learn more about the City’s draft plan and cast your vote on such questions as:

Which type(s) of stormwater management action should the City take to reduce pollution of a high priority local creek?
Where is stormwater management action most needed?
What is your assessment of the health of local creeks and other surface waters?

The City takes public feedback seriously and will use your input to shape the final Stormwater Management Action Plan (SMAP), which will be completed this Spring. For more information, please contact the City’s SMAP project manager, Andrew Silvia.

Council Corner – Please Take the Time to SLOW DOWN for Your Friends and Neighbors When You Drive

Here we are in a new year and, regrettably, the preliminary news regarding traffic safety from 2022 in our wonderful State of Washington is quite alarming. Recent National Highway Safety Board data shows that traffic fatalities were up more than 21.4% in our state in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period during 2021. It appears the biggest increase in fatalities is among what the federal government classifies as those most vulnerable- pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

This trend is startling- overall, the national trend is a slight reduction in fatal accidents, or a reduction of about 0.2%. In Washington, we are nearly at the top of the list when it comes to states with increases. The vast majority of states recorded reductions in the first three quarters of 2022. As a community, we can do our part to reverse this trend and ensure the safety of those around us.

As an ongoing series of projects, the City Council will continue to consider reductions to speed limits on our local roads and state highways which will prioritize pedestrian and multimodal safety. It is the Council’s intent to create a speed-setting program that slows drivers down and one that reflects the character of our community.

I invite you to stand on a street corner adjacent to either of our two elementary schools as our children are heading to school and watch the cameras flashing and recording the unsafe behavior of drivers very near our children and parents. This behavior by thoughtless drivers is wholly unacceptable and must change.

The City Council will also be continuing its work on traffic calming measures that can be implemented throughout our city. Additional signalized crosswalks; intersections painted with murals; chicanes and pinch points; traffic circles; speed pillows; curb-separated shoulders and walking paths are all being considered as part of this program.

However, these measures can only go so far- it is essential that we all contribute to changing the dangerous paradigm of selfish excessive speeding and red-light running.

Please slow down, enjoy our beautiful city and set an example for visitors who are passing though.

--Deputy Mayor Tom French

Woman holding container with cleaning products in it.

Ease into the New Year with Small Steps for More Sustainable Practices

Our partners in the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks compiled a list of small steps you can take to be more sustainable this new year. We’re especially fond of the advice to choose safer alternatives, but all this advice will help you embrace environmentally friendly practices year-round and with little effort.

Looking for more inspiration? The regional collaboration Puget Sound Starts Here did a round-up of 23 small steps to promote cleaner, healthier waterways and protect the health of our natural environment. Check out the short video here!

Now entering Snohomish County Link Light Rail

Lynnwood Link Light Rail – Help Shape the Future of Transit in LFP

When Lynwood Link opens in 2024 bus routes in your neighborhood will look different. Help us create routes that work for you!

We need your feedback on route locations, how often buses run, and more. Review our proposed bus routes and let us know what you think; the survey is open now through March 10. Visit the Lynnwood Link Connections webpage for project details and to learn more. Take the survey here.

Save the dates. Wastemobile season begins February 24-26

Mark Your Calendars - the King County Wastemobile is in Bothell the Weekend of February 24-26

Do you have household hazardous waste that needs disposal? The King County Wastemobile is stopping in Bothell from Friday – Sunday, February 24 – 26, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to provide household hazardous waste disposal services for King County residents. The address is: 18115 Campus Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011.

You may drop off items such as antifreeze, batteries, gasoline, fluorescent lights, and pesticides. To view the full list of what you can and cannot bring and learn some safety tips, visit the King County Household Hazardous Waste webpage or call the King County Household Hazards Line at 206-296-4692.

If you cannot make it to the Wastemobile, do not dispose your hazardous waste—items like cleaning products, batteries, or pesticides in the garbage or down the drain. Take your hazardous waste to the North Seattle Hazardous Waste drop-off site for safe disposal. Additional information is available at the link above.

Community information sessions about school district budget

Community Information Sessions About Shoreline School District Budget

A message from the Shoreline School District…

A series of four community information sessions will be held over the coming weeks to bring awareness across the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park communities to the budget challenges the school district is facing. Interested residents, staff, families, and students may attend any session that works for their schedule.

Wednesday, February 1, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Kellogg Middle School Commons
16045 25th Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155

Friday, February 10, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

via Zoom
Register in advance for this webinar:
- https://ssd412-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IGU9pvbDRw2WAJ5BGyDVUQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Wednesday, February 15, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Shoreline Room, Shoreline Center (north end of the building)
18560 1st Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155

Superintendent Susana Reyes will share information about the financial situation of the district, the contributing factors, and our need to rebalance revenue and expenditures for the 2023-24 school year and beyond. Please join us. Your thoughts and questions are welcome.

Learn more about the 2023-24 Shoreline Schools budget outlook.

If you would like to request an interpreter at one of our information sessions, please email Kathie Schindler no later than 24 hours before the session you plan to attend.

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